Japan’s parliament will vote on Tuesday, October 21, to choose the country’s next prime minister, a senior member of the lower house scheduling committee told Reuters on Friday.
The decision comes after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), now led by Sanae Takaichi, proposed the date for the leadership vote. Opposition parties objected, arguing that coalition negotiations were still underway and that the schedule was being rushed.
Takaichi, who was elected LDP leader earlier this month following the resignation of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is seeking to build a new governing majority.
The LDP is courting the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai) to form a coalition that would ensure enough parliamentary votes to confirm her as Japan’s next premier.
If successful, Takaichi would become Japan’s first female prime minister, a historic milestone in a country where women have long been underrepresented in top political roles.
The new government will face an immediate diplomatic test, with several high-profile international engagements scheduled for later this month. These include regional summits in Malaysia and South Korea, as well as a visit to Tokyo by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Political analysts say Takaichi’s leadership could signal continuity in Japan’s foreign and security policies, particularly its close alliance with Washington, while also testing her ability to unify a divided parliament amid ongoing economic and demographic challenges.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
