TOKYO: The fight to replace Fumio Kishida as leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and hence Prime Minister, is down to the wire with two finalists: former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67,(pic left) and economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, 63 (pic right).
They came out ahead in a crowded field of nine candidates, with 736 votes at stake in the Sept 27 election, edging out a third frontrunner, former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43.
