How Japan Picks Its Next Leader: A Simple Guide 🗳️🇯🇵

Ready to decode how Japan picks its next top leader? Here’s the lowdown on the LDP’s presidential race and the parliamentary showdown! 🗳️🇯🇵

1. Party Leadership Race

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) starts by choosing a new party president to replace outgoing PM Shigeru Ishiba. Candidates need at least 20 nominations from LDP lawmakers to get on the ballot. Then comes the debate tour—from Tokyo to Osaka—where hopefuls rally support before the big vote mix of lawmaker ballots and rank-and-file member votes.

2. The Vote Breakdown

In round one, each LDP lawmaker has one vote, and the party members share an equal block of votes. A simple majority wins. If nobody crosses the line, a run-off between the top two kicks in. Lawmakers still vote, but members’ votes slim down to 47—one per prefecture. In a super-rare tie, it’s decided by lot (think official coin flip!).

3. Parliament’s Turn

Next up, both houses of parliament vote for prime minister. The lower house goes first, nominating any chamber member for the job. A majority in round one seals it, or else there’s a run-off. The upper house then follows, though only lower house members can become PM. If the two houses disagree, the lower house decision wins—so that’s where the power lies.

Bonus move: the new PM might call a snap general election to get a fresh mandate. Stay tuned—Japan’s political scene is about to get interesting! 😉

Reference(s):

Explainer: How will Japan pick its next leader?

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