The country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday voted Takaichi to be the party’s next leader, which is also effectively Japan’s next Prime Minister, setting her up to be the first woman to lead the country.

But Sanae Takaichi’s uniqueness lies not only in her gender. She also embodies an atypical political trajectory. Close to Shinzo Abe, whose heritage she claims, she has established herself as one of the figures of the conservative nationalist movement within the LDP.

After years of threatening to upend industries around the world, artificial intelligence could soon enter the corridors of power, if a fringe political party in Japan gets its way.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s long-governing Liberal Democratic Party will choose a new leader on Saturday to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, but the winner must quickly restore political stability and regain public support for the struggling party to stay in power.

Japan has never confronted the raw contradiction inherent in its postwar democracy: a nation reconstructed from devastation, yet shackled by entrenched hierarchies that dictate who may wield authority.

A Japanese political party seemingly inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda made significant gains in the country’s parliamentary elections on Sunday. It marks the 18th seat won overall for the party, which also has three ...

The top contenders, including Koizumi Shinjiro and Takaichi Sanae, have moderated their positions since the 2024 race.