With Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressing his intention to resign, the race to become the country’s next leader has been thrown wide open. Various names have been bandied around to see who would succeed Ishiba, but two prominent names have emerged: former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi and current agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Neither has formally announced a run, but political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said both are expected to enter the contest to replace Ishiba. A Nikkei opinion poll last month showed Takaichi leading with 23% support, while Koizumi had 22%. If elected, ... (full story)