Sanae Takaichi will become Japan's first female prime minister on Oct. 15 after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on Saturday, and reports indicate she plans to appoint Toshimitsu Motegi as foreign minister. The former economic security minister defeated Shinjiro Koizumi with 185 votes to 156 in a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the initial round. She also intends to name Minoru Kihara as chief cabinet secretary, and she is considering positions for the three other leadership challengers in either the cabinet or party executive roles.
Motegi previously served as foreign minister from 2019 to 2021, and the 69-year-old lawmaker also held the post of industry minister while negotiating trade agreements with the United States. Takaichi will complete Shigeru Ishiba's three-year term ending in September 2027 as the conservative wing leader takes control of a party facing public trust issues and economic challenges from sluggish growth and rising prices. The LDP lost more than 140,000 eligible voting members since the previous contest, leaving about 915,600 participants in this year's election.
Motegi previously served as foreign minister from 2019 to 2021, and the 69-year-old lawmaker also held the post of industry minister while negotiating trade agreements with the United States. Takaichi will complete Shigeru Ishiba's three-year term ending in September 2027 as the conservative wing leader takes control of a party facing public trust issues and economic challenges from sluggish growth and rising prices. The LDP lost more than 140,000 eligible voting members since the previous contest, leaving about 915,600 participants in this year's election.
