The **Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)** of Japan is a dominant conservative political party, established in 1955 through the merger of the Japan Democratic Party and the Liberal Party. Since then, it has governed Japan almost continuously, shaping the country’s post-war political landscape[2][7]. The LDP traditionally supports economic conservatism, advocating for low taxes to stimulate business growth while also endorsing a strong welfare state, disaster prevention, and social security reforms[2]. The party’s foreign policy aligns closely with Western powers, particularly the United States, maintaining a firm stance against Russian territorial expansion near Hokkaido and North Korea's nuclear ambitions. A significant policy focus has been revising Japan’s post-WWII pacifist constitution to allow a more proactive military role, aiming for a formal self-defense capability and meeting a defense spending target of 2% of GDP[2][3]. In recent developments, the LDP entered a historic coalition agreement with the reformist Nippon Ishin no Kai party in October 2025, forming a joint government to address Japan’s intensifying domestic and international challenges. This coalition emphasizes constitutional revision, defense buildup, fiscal and social security reform, and governance restructuring to strengthen Japan’s global standing[1]. Leadership within the LDP saw a major transition in 2025. Following the resignation of President Ishiba Shigeru, Sanae Takaichi won the party’s presidential election on October 4, becoming Japan’s first female prime minister. Her platform includes economic reform, tax abolition, wage increases, and defense commitments, signaling a push toward modernization and internal party reform[3][6][8]. Overall, the LDP remains central to Japan’s political and economic direction, balancing traditional conservatism with emergent reformist efforts to respond to evolving geopolitical realities and domestic pressures. Its recent coalition and leadership changes underscore a strategic pivot aimed at national revival and resilience in a complex global environment[1][3].