The presidential election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party went on to a runoff between former internal affairs minister Takaichi Sanae and incumbent agriculture minister Koizumi Shinjiro on October 4.

Takaichi defeated Koizumi with 185 votes to 156 to become the first female leader of the LDP, succeeding outgoing Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.

The LDP is currently a minority ruling party with the highest number of seats but not the majority in both the lower and upper houses of the Diet.

But as the opposition has not been able to unify behind a single candidate, Takaichi is expected to be chosen as Japan’s 104th prime minister at an extraordinary session of parliament later in October.

If elected, she would become Japan’s first female prime minister.

After the party leadership race, Takaichi met with Komeito party leader Saito Tetsuo to discuss continuing their ruling coalition.

Saito said he expressed concern to Takaichi over her earlier remarks that she intends to continue visiting Yasukuni Shrine even after becoming prime minister.

Yasukuni visits by Japanese leaders are frowned upon by countries such as China and South Korea that see the war-linked shrine as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

On the personnel front, Takaichi told a press conference that she will appoint her four rivals in the LDP election to key posts in the LDP and the Cabinet.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, New LDP President / During the election campaign, I repeatedly had discussions (with fellow candidates) and saw that each of them had interesting perspectives, good ideas and wonderful aspects, so I want all of them to play active roles.

According to informed sources, Takaichi is considering appointing Motegi Toshimitsu as foreign minister.

After losing in the first round of voting in the LDP presidential election, Motegi told his supporters to cast their votes for Takaichi in the runoff.

Motegi has been described as a “tough negotiator” by US President Donald Trump in the past.

Takaichi is apparently placing high expectations on the former foreign minister’s diplomatic prowess ahead of the Japan-US summit talks scheduled in late October.

On the issue of lawmakers who failed to properly report political funds, Takaichi said this would not affect her personnel decisions.

As for measures against rising commodity prices, she said she will aim to abolish the temporary additional gasoline tax as soon as possible by submitting a legislative proposal during an extraordinary Diet session.

The 64-year-old lawmaker called for discussions on refundable tax credits to be sped up within the LDP, saying the move would benefit low- and middle-income earners.

On the possibility of reducing Japan’s consumption tax rates, Takaichi said she will not rule it out as an option in active discussions on the matter.

Regarding expanding the ruling coalition, she said she wants to discuss issues such as constitutional reform and foreign and security policies with like-minded political parties but declined to give any specific names at this stage before such talks have been held.