Japan LDP leadership race heads to run-off between Takaichi and Koizumi

TOKYO, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Former Japanese internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi and Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi have advanced to a run-off vote to decide the next leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Saturday. The winner is expected to replace Shigeru Ishiba as prime minister since the LDP remains the largest party in parliament. However, following the recent elections, the LDP-led coalition no longer holds majorities in either chamber and will require cooperation from opposition lawmakers to govern effectively. Takaichi won the most number of votes with 183 out of the total 589 valid votes, while Koizumi came in second place with 164 votes in a field of five candidates. The run-off vote will follow shortly. (Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama and Makiko Yamazaki Editing by Chang-Ran Kim)

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