Japan's parliament to choose new prime minister this Tuesday

Japan's parliament will convene Tuesday to select a new prime minister following an agreement between ruling and opposition parties. The vote comes after former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's resignation earlier this month, triggered by electoral setbacks in both parliamentary houses.

Takaichi's Historic Bid Faces Challenges

Sanae Takaichi, who recently made history as the first woman to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), now seeks to become Japan's first female prime minister. The 64-year-old conservative and close ally of the late Shinzo Abe faces a complicated path to power after the LDP's longtime coalition partner Komeito withdrew from their alliance, leaving the party without a parliamentary majority.

Coalition Mathematics and Opposition Strategy

In the 465-seat lower house, Takaichi needs 233 votes to secure the premiership. The LDP currently holds 196 seats, forcing Takaichi to seek support from other parties. Meanwhile, the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is attempting to consolidate opposition forces behind a single candidate to challenge Takaichi's bid for leadership.

Negotiation Hurdles with Potential Partners

Coalition talks between the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) have hit obstacles, with JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura demanding concrete agreements on reducing parliamentary seats by year's end as a condition for partnership. The political maneuvering continues as Japan faces significant policy decisions amid the ongoing government formation process in Tokyo.