1 of 5 | President of Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaich (R) holds a meeting with leader of the Democratic Party for the People Yuichiro Tamaki at the National Diet in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
The Japanese Diet is scheduled to vote on the nation’s next prime minister on Tuesday, which has political parties angling to gain support for their preferred candidates.
Sanae Takaichi is the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and is its choice to become Japan’s next prime minister, but opposition parties might block her path, according to NHK World.
The LDP has asked the opposition Japan Innovation Party to join its political coalition and support Takaichi’s candidacy to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The JIP would replace the Komeito party, which last week announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition.
LDP members hold 196 of 465 seats in Japan’s House of Representatives and 100 of 248 seats in the House of Councillors [sic], which is the most of any political party.
While it holds more seats in the Japanese Diet than any other political party, it does not control of majority and seeks additional support to solidify Takaichi’s candidacy.
The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan also seeks support from the JIP and the Democratic Party for the People to promote a viable candidate capable of winning the Diet’s vote over Takaichi.
Despite the opposition to her candidacy to become prime minister, Takaichi told supporters she “will never give up” in her quest to win the election, which typically goes to the leader of the ruling party, China Daily reported.
The leaders of Japan’s various political parties have several meetings scheduled on Wednesday to potentially build support coalitions that could result in Takaichi or other candidates to replace Ishiba as Japan’s prime minister.
DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki is among those who might derail Takaichi’s effort to become prime minister.
If Takaichi should become Japan’s next prime minister, she would be the nation’s first woman to hold the position, according to CNBC.
