As Japan's political landscape shifts, ruling and opposition parties have set October 21 as the day to elect a new prime minister. That date also kicks off an extraordinary Diet session that will run 58 days, ending on December 17.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan reached this agreement on Friday, highlighting cross-party coordination after Shigeru Ishiba stepped down as prime minister.
Sanae Takaichi, who won the LDP presidential election on October 4, stands as the leading candidate to replace Ishiba. Under Japan's parliamentary rules, both houses of the Diet vote to appoint a prime minister. If the two houses diverge, the lower house’s decision prevails. A candidate winning a majority in the first round is named prime minister; without a clear majority, a runoff between the top two vote-getters decides the outcome.
Data insight: With inflation on the rise and global uncertainties impacting trade, Jiji Press reports that if Takaichi is confirmed, she will immediately draft economic measures to address price hikes and submit a supplementary budget to the Diet for early December review.
Why it matters: For young global citizens, tech entrepreneurs, and business leaders, Japan’s leadership transition could reshape policy on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability. Travelers and digital nomads will also be watching for shifts in visa frameworks and tourism initiatives linked to budget allocations.
As October 21 approaches, the outcome will set the tone for Japan’s strategic priorities over the next months, influencing markets, startups, and cross-border collaborations.
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Japan's ruling, opposition parties agree to pick new PM on October 21
cgtn.com
