Japan leadership race

The five Liberal Democratic Party leaders competing to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba appear so far to lack the fresh thinking needed in a shifting world order.
Comment

LDP candidates need to discuss Japan's place in a global context

Opposition parties must also contribute to shaping national policies

22 September 2025
After a two-month policy vacuum, the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party is likely to focus on moving the legislative agenda forward instead of contemplating a snap general election. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
Japan leadership race

Japan ruling party kicks off leadership race: 5 things to know

Election of LDP leader likely to become PM, with coalition expansion in mind

22 September 2025
Shinjiro Koizumi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 20 about running in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Who is Japan's Shinjiro Koizumi?

Reformist LDP minister and former leader's son could be youngest postwar PM

20 September 2025
Bank of Japan's decision follows the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowering interest rates in a stalling job market.
Bank of Japan

BOJ chief strikes cautious tone despite some board members urging rate hike

Gov. Ueda says tariff impacts need monitoring; selling off ETFs over course of 100-plus years

19 September 2025
Sanae Takaichi speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 18 about running in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Who is Sanae Takaichi? The politician aiming to be Japan's first female PM

LDP leadership contender is a fiscal dove who was close to late PM Shinzo Abe

19 September 2025
Top contenders in the LDP leadership race are, from left, former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Tomoki Mera, Uichiro Kasai, Satoko Kawasaki, Akira Kodaka and Akitoshi Sugiura)
Japan leadership race

Japan's fiscal health in the spotlight as LDP leadership race heats up

Bond yields rise as tax-cut talk coincides with higher spending demands

18 September 2025
Sanae Takaichi, a veteran Japanese lawmaker and fiscal dove, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Sept. 18 about running in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race. 
Japan leadership race

Japanese veteran lawmaker Takaichi says will run in LDP leadership race

Politician seen as a vocal proponent of government stimulus, monetary easing

18 September 2025
Candidates to lead Japan's Liberal Democratic Party look to consolidate and expand support beyond their usual bases ahead of the LDP's Oct. 4 presidential election. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nikkei)
Japan leadership race

Japan's LDP leadership hopefuls cast wider net for votes

Shinjiro Koizumi taps conservative finance minister Kato as campaign manager

17 September 2025
After Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's departure, Japan will end up with its fifth leader since 2020. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Comment

Japan's next leader must end nearsighted voter-pleasing policies

New prime minister must confront long-term domestic, diplomatic challenges

16 September 2025
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi answers questions at a press conference on Sept. 4. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)
Japan leadership race

LDP heavyweight Hayashi to formally join party leadership race on Tuesday

Chief cabinet secretary expected to win support from former Kishida faction members

15 September 2025
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last met in Tokyo in August.
Japan-South Korea ties

Japan PM Ishiba eyes September South Korea visit before resigning

Embattled leader looks to ensure continuation of good relations

12 September 2025
Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi looks set to take on former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and others in the LDP leadership election to be held on Oct. 4. (Photo by Ryo Nemoto)
Japan leadership race

Japan farm minister Koizumi intends to run for LDP presidency: sources

A victory for former prime minister's son would likely make him nation's next leader

12 September 2025
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reacts during a news conference he held to mark 100 days in office in Seoul, on Sept. 11.
International relations

South Korea's Lee seeks to cooperate with Japan, whoever leads it

President says ties needed for 'stability of northeast Asia' as he marks 100 days

11 September 2025
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose by 378 points Wednesday to close at a record high. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Equities

Nikkei index soars to record high on fading sting from Trump tariffs

Market factors in earnings recovery, building on rally since Ishiba's resignation

11 September 2025
The old rule of thumb that LDP presidential elections signal investors to buy in the stock market may be changing now that the party has lost its majority in both houses of the Diet. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Equities

Japan leadership race spurs stock buying, but rule of thumb may change

Political dynamics shift from past rally-inducing LDP presidential elections

10 September 2025
The Nikkei Stock Average at one point in the morning of Sept. 9 jumped more than 500 points, or 1.2%, surpassing the 44,000 level, before giving up gains. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Markets

Japan stocks lose steam after hitting fresh intraday high

Nikkei index closes down despite US rate cut expectations and Japan fiscal expansion hopes

9 September 2025
Japan's parliament will elect the new prime minister through a majority vote. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai) 
Japan leadership race

What comes after Japanese PM Ishiba's resignation? 5 things to know

Country at tipping point as concern mounts over return to revolving-door prime ministers

9 September 2025
Japanese wage growth is barely keeping pace with inflation. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Japan leadership race

Japan's next leader on collision course with inflation, interest rates

Bond market jittery over government spending, limiting room for stimulus

9 September 2025
Shigeru Ishiba plans to step down as Japanese prime minister. (Photo by Koji Uema)
The Nikkei View

Ishiba's resignation must pave way to Japan's political renewal

The country's democracy stands at a critical juncture

8 September 2025
Electronics and real estate stocks led the gains in Japan on Sept. 8. (Photo by Hazumu Urushiyama)
Equities

Japan's Nikkei index closes shy of record high as PM Ishiba resigns

Speculation grows over potential fiscal expansion and BOJ rate hike path

8 September 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba leaves unfinished work on the economy and foreign policy. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Politics

Japan faces gap in economic policy, diplomacy during leadership reset

Work to combat inflation and tariffs likely on hold until new government forms

8 September 2025
From left, Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi and Yoshimasa Hayashi could run again for leadership of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party. (Source photos by Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Who are the contenders to succeed Ishiba as Japan's leader?

Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi made strong showings in last LDP race

8 September 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds a press conference on Sept. 7 to announce his resignation. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Politics

Japan PM Ishiba says he will step down to take blame for July election rout

LDP to begin preparing for leadership election but faces tough road ahead

7 September 2025
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