Japan readies itself for an unpredictable ballot
The ruling party’s leadership contest may matter more than the next national election
THE FOUR candidates for the presidency of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) come from different corners of the party’s big tent. Takaichi Sanae (pictured, left) is a nationalist who wants to become the first female prime minister, but opposes allowing married couples to keep separate surnames. Kono Taro (pictured, bottom) is the American-educated scion of a political family; he supports gay marriage and renewable energy. Kishida Fumio is a Hiroshima native who pines for a new form of capitalism. Noda Seiko is the mother of a disabled son. She has promised to be a champion for the vulnerable.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Going round in circles”
From the September 25th 2021 edition
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