The race to become the PM of Japan includes Takayuki Kobayashi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Sane Taki, Yoshimasa Hayashi and Shinjiro Koizumi. (Left to right)
The Prime Minister of Japan (PM) Shigeru Ishiba resigned from his post on 7 September 2025. Now in his place the Liberal Democratic Party is holding elections for its post of president. This election is on today i.e. Saturday (4 October 2025). Whoever will be selected for this post, will become the next Prime Minister of Japan after voting in Parliament.
Let us know how the Prime Minister is chosen in Japan? How many challenges are there in front of the new PM and how powerful is this post? Who are in line for the next PM.
PM becomes the president of majority party
Actually, PM of the party which gets a majority in Japan becomes PM of the same party. In the majority party, elections are held for the first president. Then the same president is nominated for the post of Prime Minister. At present, no party has a clear majority in Japan. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has lost a majority in both houses of the Japanese Parliament, yet remains in power, as it is currently the largest party in Parliament and no other party or coalition also has a majority.
However, Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had to resign due to lack of majority in the election. Now his party is going to choose the new president.
The party president is elected like this
Apart from all the MLAs and MPs of the party, members of the party also vote in the election of the President of the Liberal Democratic Party. To win the post of president, any candidate needs a clear majority i.e. 51 percent of the votes. If a candidate does not get a clear majority in the first time, then there is a second round contest between the top two candidates. Any candidate who wins the election of the party’s president, is nominated for the post of PM in Parliament. He takes oath as PM after winning a majority in Parliament.
Takayuki Kobayashi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Sane Taki, Yoshimasa Hayashi and Shinjiro Koizumi.
Who is involved in the race to become PM with the post of president?
Five candidates are said to be involved in the race to become the president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). One of them is Sane Takaichi, who is considered close to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. As a right -wing conservative, she remains vocal on the issue of constitutional amendment and national security.
She finished second in the election for the post of LDP President in 2024. In the election held in October 2024, Shigeru Ishiba won and reached the post of Prime Minister. If this time Sane wins Takaichi, then she will be the first woman Prime Minister of the country. Apart from these, Shinjiro Koizumi, the young face of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and Agriculture Minister of the country are also involved in this race. Yoshimasa Hayashi, who has worked in many positions in the cabinet, Toshimitsu Mottegi, expert in economy and business, Harvard Graduate Takayuki Kobayasi is also part of this race.
Even though there are many faces in the race for the post of AlDP president, the main contest is being considered between two candidates. Kyodo News has conducted a survey, in which Sane Takaichi got 34.4% votes and he is at the forefront. Shinjiro Koizumi is at number two, who has got the support of 29.3% of the people involved in the survey. If the coiny is the youngest PM in the country, if they win the election. He is 45 years old.
Shigeru Ishiba. (File photo)
What a big challenge to run a minority government?
Shigeru Ishiba in Japan became PM in September 2024. The next month i.e. in October 2024, in the election of the Lower House of Parliament (House of Representative), AlDP and Comerito involved in the alliance with him had to stay away from the majority. In this election, the AlDP-Kometo alliance got 215 seats out of 465, while 233 seats are required for majority.
However, ElDP was the largest party and no other alliance was in a position to form the government. Then in July 2025, in the election of the Upper Sadan (House of Counselors), ADP remained three seats away from the majority. In this way, for the first time after the establishment in 1955, AldP lost a majority in both houses. In such a situation, the opposition raised the issue of no -confidence motion, then Ishiba warned of dissolution of Parliament and again. On this, the opposition retreated and Ishiba kept running a minority government. With the support of small parties, the bill, budget, subsidy and tax reforms continued. This will also be the biggest challenge before the next Prime Minister of Japan.
Apart from this, Japan is also facing inflation. Its impact also appeared in the election of the Upper House and the seats of the ruling party decreased. This is also a challenge before the new Prime Minister. Then there is also a concern among the people of Japan about the tariff being imposed by US President Donald Trump. A BBC report states that people are angry at these issues towards the ruling alliance in Japan. Taking them will not be less than a challenge in front of the new PM.
Shigeru Ishiba and PM Modi.
How much powerful PM post in Japan?
The post of PM in Japan is the most powerful executive post. Japan still has a tradition of the emperor, but the real power is in the hands of the Prime Minister. He is the head of the cabinet and decides the appointment of ministers. On behalf of the Cabinet, the PM itself introduces the bill in Parliament and reports to Parliament on national and international issues. All administrative branches are controlled by them. Even the commander-in-chief of the Japanese security forces is the Prime Minister. His signature on laws and cabinet orders is mandatory. He can also advise the emperor to dissolve the Japanese Parliament (National Diet). Overall, the PM is the real executive head of the government in Japan, the more hold on the cabinet, the stronger they are.
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