Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will vote on October 4th in Tokyo to elect the next prime minister. Currently, the leading contenders in this race are Shinjiro Koizumi, a candidate favored in many polls and a person who is campaigning on change in wage growth; Sanae Takaichi, a veteran conservative who positions herself as the first female prime minister; and Yoshimasa Hayashi, the current Chief Cabinet Secretary, a person who can offer a platform of stability and growth. The choice will not only determine who leads the LDP but also shape Japan’s policy in a time of inflation and economic uncertainty.
The outcome of this voting could have a direct impact on everyday life in Japan, including for students. For many, the new leadership can influence things such as wages for their future jobs and their education, but also opportunities and stability of their careers.
Firstly, Koizumi’s focus is on wage growth. He speaks directly to young people, especially people who work part-time to support themselves during school. Higher wages would immediately benefit high school and university students. In addition to part-time jobs and income, his policies would signal better job prospects for university graduates entering the workforce.
Takaichi’s policies could shape the classroom itself through changes in education policy and the design of student programs. Takaichi’s approach to curriculum and resource allocation could reshape the knowledge and skills that students develop as they move forward in their academic endeavors, but also their future jobs. For many students, this could lead to new opportunities and shifts in the affordability of universities.
Hayashi’s platform of stability might not cause dramatic and great change; however, it could ensure constant support for schools and universities. Constant funding means that students and teachers would have a much more predictable teaching and learning environment to plan studies, projects, and other things. For students planning to go into research or go to university, the stability could reassure them that Japan will keep supporting education.
For students, the election is more than just an election; it can decide their learning environment in which they will grow. Whether through wage reform, education policy, or stable funding, each candidate will offer a different vision for the future. The vote is not only about national leadership, but more importantly, shaping the daily lives and opportunities of the upcoming generations.
