a protege of shinzo abi is another candidate.e would become the country because my first ever female prime minister. the economic policies are expected to be investor friendly just like a mentor. she is also known as one of the most conservative lawmakers in her party, so her leadership could likely affect japan's relationship with its neighbours, china and south korea. the other candidate is a veteran lawmaker who has previously been the party's secretary general and a defence minister, the fifth time he is making a bid for the top job. he has proposed a reviving japan's rural areas to boost the economy and floated the idea of raising the country's corporate tax but he has also been criticised for not having a clear economic plan. the ldp has ruled japan for 65 of the last 69 years, but recent scandals have shaken up the political factions that have controlled this once dominant party. they are no longer the power players they used to be. making the result of this party leadership contest more unpredictable than ever before. nob