Japan LDP election live: Takaichi vows to ‘work, work, work, work, work’.

Oct 2025 : Lawmakers and rank-and-file party members of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party today picked Sanae Takaichi as its first female leader, and likely the nation’s first woman Prime Minister replacing the outgoing Shigeru Ishiba.

Takaichi, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the current chief cabinet secretary, Takayuki Kobayashi and veteran lawmaker Toshimitsu Motegi.

3:35 PM – Takaichi added: “Everyone [LDP lawmakers: will be required to work, work like a horse. I will abandon the notion of work-life balance. Work, work, work, work, work, that is what I will do. I sincerely ask each and every one of you to work tirelessly in your respective fields for the sake of Japan and to rebuild the LDP“.

3:31 PM – In her victory speech, Takaichi said: “Rather than feeling happy right now, I truly believe that the real challenge lies ahead, and there are mountains of work we must tackle together with everyone. There are numerous policies, many of which must be implemented swiftly. And together with everyone, we must also work to make the Liberal Democratic Party a more spirited and vibrant party, a party that transforms the anxieties of many people into hope“.

Her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, looked at the bigger picture: “I have had the opportunity to speak with the leaders of 90 nations. Every country is grappling with conflict and turmoil. Our nation must, above all else, demonstrate solidarity and tolerance to the world. This past year has made me keenly aware of how much the world needs Japan. We must respond to that need. For the sake of our nation, our people, the world, and the next generation, I earnestly pray that under the leadership of our new President Takaichi, we can all unite as one and that the LDP can fulfill its role“.

3:00 PM – Takaichi defeats Koizumi by 185 votes to 156.

1:59 PM – The results are as follows:

1:04 PM – Voting begins. Lawmakers are called one-by-one to walk up to the stage and exercise their franchise.

1:02 PM – The five candidates have taken their seats in the packed hall at LDP headquarters.

12:51 PM – Public broadcaster NHK is reporting that Takaichi had the most party member votes in 20 of the 26 prefectures counted so far. Koizumi had three, Hayashi was on two and Motegi won in his home prefecture of Tochigi. Twenty-one are still to be decided.

Overall, among party members, Takaichi was leading with 41.4%, followed by Koizumi (26.3%), Hayashi (19.4%), Motegi (7.0%) and Kobayashi (5.9%).

12:32 PM – Kyodo reported that Senior LDP adviser Taro Aso, a former prime minister, has told associates he intends to support the candidate who receives the most party member votes in the first round if a runoff is held.

Team Maverick