Japan's frontrunner for the new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi: If elected, will reduce taxes and provide cash subsidies.

The popular candidate for the next leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party, Sanae Takaichi, announced on Friday that if she wins the party leadership election on October 4, she will introduce tax incentives and provide cash subsidies to families. Takaichi, a staunch conservative, narrowly lost in the LDP leadership election to outgoing Prime Minister Shizo Abe about a year ago. She stated that if elected as the leader of the LDP, she will raise the income threshold for tax exemption and eliminate gasoline tax. Takaichi said, "I stand here with grand ambitions, determined to make Japan the top of the world again. The key lies in economic strength, and I will do my utmost to drive economic growth." Takaichi, coming from the right-wing of the LDP, has long advocated for active economic stimulus measures to promote growth. If she wins in the election on October 4, Takaichi has a strong chance of becoming Japan's first female prime minister, a position determined by a vote in parliament. Shizo Abe recently announced that he would resign after the ruling coalition led by the LDP lost its majority in both houses of the Japanese parliament. Takaichi faces competition from Shinjiro Koizumi, who is one of the strong contenders in this election. Koizumi is the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and is a reform-minded politician. A survey conducted from September 12 to 15 showed that among LDP supporters surveyed, 19.7% believed Takaichi was the most suitable candidate to lead the party. In the survey, she ranked second, only behind Koizumi, who had a support rate of 31.8%. Takaichi announced her policy platform shortly after the Bank of Japan decided to maintain the benchmark interest rate. When she ran for party leader a year ago, Takaichi opposed a rate hike. In her statement on Friday, she did not mention monetary policy, and after a press conference that lasted 40 minutes, the topic was still not addressed. Takaichi has cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as an important source of inspiration, and her leadership style may lean towards conservatism in Japanese politics. She has previously served as Japan's Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.