(MENAFN) Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wrapped up member voting in its leadership race on Friday, with national Diet lawmakers scheduled to cast their ballots on Saturday.

The party began its leadership contest on September 22. Originally set for 2027, the vote was expedited after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on September 7, following the coalition’s defeat in July’s upper house elections. Despite stepping down, Ishiba will remain in office until the party elects a new leader on Saturday.

The incoming party president is widely expected to assume the role of Japan’s next prime minister, although the LDP-led coalition lacks a parliamentary majority. Meanwhile, the three main opposition parties, which collectively hold the majority, remain reportedly divided over backing a unified candidate, media reported Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The government and LDP plan to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session on October 14 or later to officially confirm Ishiba’s successor following Saturday’s party election.

Among contenders, former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi and Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi are leading in the polls, followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi.

No candidate is expected to clinch a first-round victory, likely triggering a runoff to decide the winner.

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