Japan’s Leadership Race Exposes Political Instability and Risks to US-Japan Alliance

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has officially launched a leadership race following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s departure, but beneath the surface lies a stark reality: political instability that could weaken one of America’s most important allies in an increasingly tense Indo-Pacific region. Is Japan's Political Infighting Undermining Regional Security? The LDP faces an uphill battle to regain voter trust after devastating losses that stripped their coalition of parliamentary majorities. Five candidates, ranging from moderate conservatives to hardline nationalists, are vying for the top position amid rising prices and public dissatisfaction. Yet, this internal scramble risks distracting Tokyo from addressing critical...