ISTANBUL

Japan’s relations with China will likely worsen after the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi becomes the new prime minister, a survey showed on Monday.

According to a nationwide telephone survey, which received responses from 1,061 people, 53.6% of the participants said that Tokyo-Beijing relations will worsen after Takaichi assumes the top post from outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Kyodo News reported.

The survey also showed that 68.4% of the respondents said that they have high expectations for Takaichi, while 25.5% said that they have no expectations for her. Meanwhile, 86.5% said that it is "desirable" or "rather desirable" for Japan to have its first female prime minister.

Japan's former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday won the presidential election of Japan's ruling LDP, becoming the first female LDP leader since the foundation of the party in 1955.

The vote, originally scheduled for 2027, was moved forward after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on Sept. 7, after the coalition’s defeat in July’s upper house elections.

The new president of the party, who is known for her hawkish and conservative views, is highly likely to become Japan's next prime minister, although the LDP-led coalition does not hold a majority in parliament.

The election for the prime minister is likely to be held next week.