As calls for a change of Japanese Prime Minister continue to grow, who are the potential popular successors?

1. Koizumi Shinjiro: At the age of 44, the son of former Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro, currently serves as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, leading the controversial rice price control policy of the Liberal Democratic Party. In last year's party leadership election, he lost to Shigeru Ishiba as one of the final three candidates. If elected, he would represent the new generation of the Liberal Democratic Party, but his liberal tendencies may alienate right-wing voters. 2. Koike Yuriko: At the age of 61, a former Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, idolizes former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In last year's party leadership election, she narrowly lost in the second round. If she can gather support within the party, she has the potential to become Japan's first female prime minister. However, her stance on visiting the Yasukuni Shrine may cause diplomatic tensions, and her advocated policies of monetary easing and fiscal expansion may push up government bond yields. 3. Hayashi Yoshimasa: At the age of 62, currently serving as Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, a close aide to Shigeru Ishiba who will continue the current policy direction. He has been called upon in multiple cabinet crises. A Harvard graduate, he served as Foreign Minister in the Shinzo Abe government, skilled in balancing relations with various parties. 4. Kobayashi Yoichi: At the age of 51, a graduate of Harvard University's Kennedy School, a former Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry from the Ministry of Finance background. This young conservative ran in the race last year and accumulated political capital. 5. Fumio Kishida: At the age of 66, a former Japanese Prime Minister who stepped down due to a Liberal Democratic Party political scandal. According to Japanese media reports, he intends to compete for the prime minister position again, but if endorsed by the party, it will be difficult to present an image of party reform to the outside world. 6. Katsunobu Kato: At the age of 67, having served in key positions such as Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, currently serving as Minister of Finance, leading the US-Japan economic dialogue. Although his performance was mediocre in last year's party leadership election, his advantage in balancing between conservative and reformist factions within the party may make him a key figure in building consensus. 7. Yoshihiko Noda: At the age of 66, a former Japanese Prime Minister and current leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party. Last year, he led the party to its best performance in the history of the House of Representatives elections, but still faces many obstacles in forming a coalition government - needing to gain an additional 85 seats on top of the 148 seats in the House of Representatives to achieve a majority, meaning compromises must be made with parties such as the Japanese Communist Party. 8. Yukio Edano: At the age of 55, the current leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, gained a significant number of seats by advocating for increasing real wages. There is a precedent in the history of the Liberal Democratic Party supporting non-Liberal Democratic Party members for prime minister: in 1994, the Liberal Democratic Party and coalition parties jointly endorsed a member of the Social Democratic Party, Tomiichi Murayama, as prime minister. 9. Murata Muneharu: At the age of 49, the current leader of the Party for Reform, surged with the slogan "Japan First" and promising to make people prosperous, reminiscent of US President Trump. The party's seats increased from 1 to 15 after the weekend House of Councillors election, but its radical policy proposals make its chances of becoming prime minister low.