Opinion | Has Japan Found Its Margaret Thatcher?

Japan may soon have another Prime Minister after Sanae Takaichi this weekend won the race to lead the (barely) ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). There are reasons to be modestly hopeful, but also reason to curb your enthusiasm.

Ms. Takaichi, who would become Japan’s first female leader, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff in an intraparty campaign centered on whether the LDP can get its mojo back. The party hasn’t had compelling leadership since Shinzo Abe’s retirement and then assassination. It’s been buffeted by election losses as voters flee to upstart parties, especially on the right.