China hawk and pacifist politician vie to become Japan’s first woman PM in LDP race
- Sanae Takaichi, an ultraconservative who advocates having nuclear-powered submarines, and Seiko Noda, a pacifist who supports LGBT rights, are the first women seeking to lead the LDP in 13 years
- While both were seen as having no chance against the male frontrunners with powerful factions, Abe’s backing of Takaichi has slightly improved her support
Japan’s ruling party is set on Wednesday to vote for the country’s next prime minister in an election that includes women candidates for the first time in 13 years, including a China hawk backed by former premier Shinzo Abe.
The winner of the contest to lead the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is almost certain to succeed Yoshihide Suga as prime minister because the party has a majority in parliament’s powerful lower house.
Gunning for the top post are popular vaccine minister Taro Kono, 58; former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, 64; former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi, 60; and Seiko Noda, 61, from the party’s dwindling liberal wing.
Kono and Kishida are considered the top candidates; both are from well-known political families and belong to powerful party factions.
In charge of Japan’s rocky vaccination rollout, Kono ranks high on the list of lawmakers voters want to see succeed Suga.
Neither Takaichi nor Noda were initially viewed as having any chance. But analysts say support from Abe and core conservatives has bolstered Takaichi’s chances, though she remains a long shot.
An ultraconservative, Takaichi advocates a kind of paternalistic nationalism and a stronger military, while the liberal-leaning, pacifist Noda supports women’s advancement and sexual diversity.
