As negotiations intensify over who to back for prime minister and how to cooperate in parliament, possibly as a ruling coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party and major opposition forces must consider the policy preferences and ideological stances of their core supporters before striking any deals.
For the LDP under Sanae Takaichi, who aims to become Japan’s first female prime minister when parliament convenes, that means paying special attention to the demands of LDP vice president and former Prime Minister Taro Aso and leaders in the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s faction, whose backing was crucial in securing her election as president earlier this month.
Other support came from some members of Nippon Kaigi, the powerful conservative, right-wing organization that backs candidates not only in the LDP but also some opposition parties. Takaichi serves as vice-chair of a parliamentary group associated with Nippon Kaigi.
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