The frontrunners are former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. TOKYO: The race to choose the next head of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is drawing to a close. The new leader will be picked by party members and lawmakers on Saturday (Oct 4) in a ballot.  With the LDP’s majority in the lower house, the winner is expected to then succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba through a parliamentary vote.  Ishiba is stepping down as the party’s