FX.co ★ Japan to Pick New Prime Minister on October 21

Japan’s parliament is anticipated to select a new prime minister on October 21, following Shigeru Ishiba's resignation last month, according to local media. The decision is slated for the commencement of an extraordinary session, although ongoing political negotiations could alter the timeline. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), now under the leadership of Sanae Takaichi after her victory on October 4, is in search of new partners after losing its coalition partner Komeito due to a slush funds scandal last week. While the LDP remains the largest party in both parliamentary chambers, it lacks a definitive majority, casting uncertainty on Takaichi’s prospects. Should she be elected, she would make history as Japan’s first female prime minister. Concurrently, the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDPJ) is working to unite smaller parties behind a single candidate, with its leader Yoshihiko Noda proposing Yuichiro Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People as a potential consensus choice.