The top three candidates are former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, ex-environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and economic security minister Sanae Takaichi. They are expected to come out ahead but there might not be a clear winner with a majority. As such, a run-off is a distinct possibility. If so, the results will be delayed further due to another round of voting until 0630 GMT at least.
Japan LDP begins vote for leadership election
- The initial results should come in around 0520 GMT
