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The country may shortly witness potentially its inaugural woman or youngest-ever prime minister as the country's governing faction chooses its second new leader within barely a year.

Japan's dominant political faction aims to succeed the outgoing head of government, who stepped down recently after his government failed to maintain control in both houses in the legislature.

The successful candidate will face multiple obstacles - not least guiding a faction continuing to battle to win back public confidence following significant economic misconduct controversies.

They will also need to balance the fraught US-Japan relations while implementing the tariff deal established under the previous administration with Donald Trump's administration.

Governing Challenges

A reported visit by Trump to Japan in late October comes as both nations - historically close allies and major partners on economic and defense matters - keep negotiating methods to execute the deal over tariffs.

Domestically, the new leader will also have to develop strategies to boost the flailing economy and deal with rising inflation along with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, on top of addressing a shift toward the far-right.

Securing the position of prime minister for the victor is not a given since the ruling party has lost an absolute majority within the legislature.

This weekend's selection will be within the party's legislative members along with local supporters.

Should no candidate secure a majority during the first round, a second ballot will promptly occur between the top two candidates.

Frontrunner Candidates

Three names are being considered as potential successors: Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, along with a veteran politician, potentially becoming the nation's inaugural woman leader if she won.

Takaichi, in her mid-sixties, has long respected of Britain's first female prime minister.

Recognized as a close ally and follower of the former leader, she represents a hardline conservative, is known to oppose same-sex marriage and has regularly visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine.

She was not seen as a strong advocate on women's issues, but Takaichi's tone evolved in recent times, promising to render babysitter fees eligible for tax benefits while suggesting corporate tax breaks for companies that provide workplace daycare facilities.

She has promised to double the size of the economy within ten years with heavy state investment in new technologies, infrastructure, food production and other areas ensuring financial stability.

The younger candidate, in his forties, is the son of his political father, the former leader during the early 2000s.

Seen as the new generation representative within the established party, the candidate engages well with press and popular on social media, recognized for sharing feline images.

Public support has soared lately in his ministerial role after reducing costs of rice down and being praised by veteran LDP colleagues for his leadership on the issue.

Along with other candidates, Koizumi has vowed to reduce levies to help households managing increasing expenses.

Another leading candidate is 64-year-old Hayashi, who is also the government's top spokesperson.

Observers say he's "someone who is a more reserved figure, yet seasoned and proven.

His backing comes primarily from a group once led by the ex-leader.

Other names that have been floated comprise former foreign minister and another political figure and former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi.

Political Crisis

The leadership battle follows a bruising few years for the LDP which saw multiple controversies, public disengagement and record-low approval ratings.

In 2024, the incoming leader announced a snap election for October, stating this was crucial for fresh leadership to be judged by the people as soon as possible.

This strategic move that backfired.

The electorate - still furious over misconduct allegations coping with rising inflation economic pressures - delivered poor performance for ten years.

For the first time since 2009, the LDP - governing the nation with few interruptions for decades - failed to maintain legislative control.

Then this year, it lost its majority during senate voting.

Ishiba resisted calls for him to step down initially, saying he needed to take responsibility for electoral setbacks and to deal with a trade deal with Washington.

But in early September - ahead of an internal leadership vote potentially removing him - he bowed out, stepping down preparing for the current selection process.