Japan's ruling party votes for new leader to replace PM Suga

Japan’s governing party is voting to pick its new leader with the presumed next prime minister facing imminent, crucial tasks of addressing a pandemic-hit economy and ensuring a strong alliance with Washington amid growing regional security risks

TOKYO -- Japan's governing party is voting to pick its new leader Wednesday, with the presumed next prime minister facing imminent, crucial tasks such as addressing a pandemic-hit economy and ensuring a strong alliance with Washington amid growing regional security risks.

In the first round of votes, former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida came in first with 256, only one vote ahead of Taro Kono, the vaccinations minister, but failed to win a majority and moved to a runoff between the two.

Among the two female candidates, unusual for male-dominated Japanese politics, ultra-conservative Sanae Takaichi and liberal-leaning Seiko Noda won 188 votes and 63 votes respectively, dropping out of the race.

Kishida, who has more support from party heavyweights’ support, is believed to be in a better position than Kono in a runoff, which largely reflects a party power struggle.