TOKYO, Oct 2 (Bernama-SPUTNIK/RIA Novosti) — Japanese voters are showing readiness to see a woman, former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, become prime minister, according to The Mainichi newspaper on Thursday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold its leadership election on October 4, with the winner typically assuming the post of prime minister.
From those surveyed, 25 per cent favoured Takaichi, while 21 per cent supported Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Among ruling party supporters, Koizumi holds the lead, followed by Takaichi, while the other three candidates drew between 3 per cent and 10 per cent support. Meanwhile, 34 per cent of respondents said they found it difficult to choose.
With the party’s declining popularity, public opinion may influence individual voters’ decisions.
No candidate is expected to win outright in the first round, with Takaichi and Koizumi likely advancing to a runoff.
The poll was conducted from September 20-21, among 1,972 adults via questionnaire, but did not disclose a margin of error.
According to a Jiji poll published on Wednesday, Koizumi is the frontrunner in the LDP leadership race, followed by Takaichi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
–BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI