Japan’s political landscape is poised for a significant shift as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have agreed to elect a new prime minister on October 21, 2025. This decision comes as the current Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, prepares to step down. The parliamentary vote will coincide with the commencement of an extraordinary Diet session, which is scheduled to run for 58 days, concluding on December 17. Sanae Takaichi, who recently secured victory in the LDP presidential election on October 4, is the frontrunner for the position. However, her appointment as prime minister is contingent upon approval by the Diet, Japan’s parliament. The Diet’s two houses will cast their votes, with the lower house’s decision taking precedence in case of a discrepancy. A candidate must secure a majority in the first round to be named prime minister; otherwise, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates. If elected, Takaichi is expected to swiftly address pressing economic issues, including rising prices, and propose a supplementary budget bill for parliamentary review by early December.