Japanese diplomacy has landed in a precarious position following the exit of Komeito from the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling bloc last week as a spate of summits and meetings scheduled for the end of this month fast approach.
New LDP President Sanae Takaichi had widely been expected to be elected prime minister when parliament opens early next week, possibly on Oct. 20. But Komeito’s decision to leave the ruling coalition has thrown a wrench into that scenario.
As horse-trading and speculation surge over exactly who the next prime minister will be — Takaichi or a possible candidate put forward by a unified opposition — Japan’s next leader will be confronted with a quick succession of key events.
The prime minister is expected to make his or her diplomatic debut at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia on Oct. 26, followed by a planned visit to Japan by U.S. President Donald Trump from Oct.
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