Oct. 15 (UPI) — The Japanese Diet is scheduled to vote on the nation’s next prime minister on Tuesday, which has political parties angling to gain support for their preferred candidates.
Sanae Takaichi is the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and is its choice to become Japan’s next prime minister, but opposition parties might block her path, according to NHK World.
The LDP has asked the opposition Japan Innovation Party to join its political coalition and support Takaichi’s candidacy to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The JIP would replace the Komeito party, which last week announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition.
LDP members hold 196 of 465 seats in Japan’s House of Representatives and 100 of 248 seats in the House of Councillors [sic], which is the most of any political party.
While it holds more seats in the Japanese Diet than any other political party, it does not control of majority and seeks additional support to solidify Takaichi’s candidacy.
The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan also seeks support from the JIP and the Democratic Party for the People to promote a viable candidate capable of winning the Diet’s vote over Takaichi.
Despite the opposition to her candidacy to become prime minister, Takaichi told supporters she “will never give up” in her quest to win the election, which typically goes to the leader of the ruling party, China Daily reported.
The leaders of Japan’s various political parties have several meetings scheduled on Wednesday to potentially build support coalitions that could result in Takaichi or other candidates to replace Ishiba as Japan’s prime minister.
DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki is among those who might derail Takaichi’s effort to become prime minister.
If Takaichi should become Japan’s next prime minister, she would be the nation’s first woman to hold the position, according to CNBC.
In May, when Stokes backed Pope following the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, the captain said there was an “agenda” against his then deputy.
Pope made a century in the first innings of the first Test against India in June, but passed 50 only once more in the five-match series.
Bethell, 21, played only one first-class match in the run-up to coming into the England team for the final Test at The Oval and struggled as a result, but the left-hander then made his first professional century in a one-day international against South Africa earlier this month.
“We’ll see a bit more of Jacob Bethell playing in white-ball cricket before the Ashes,” said former Kent and England batter Key. “We know a fair amount about Ollie Pope, but Jacob Bethell will continue to get experience.”
Talismanic captain Stokes missed the final Test against India with a shoulder injury, meaning the all-rounder has not completed any of England’s past four Test series.
However, the 34-year-old stepped up his return by bowling during intervals of his county Durham’s County Championship match against Yorkshire at Headingley on Wednesday.
“He won’t have a lot of cricket before the Ashes series, but that didn’t stop him against India,” said Key. “With the ball, it’s certainly the best I’ve seen him bowl for a long time, if not ever, and that was without playing a lot of cricket going into the summer.
“I have no issues with Ben Stokes at all. He’s generally the type of player that builds and everything he does gets himself ready for these big moments.”
Stokes’ Durham team-mate Wood has not played a Test since August 2024 because of elbow and knee injuries, but Key is “confident” the world’s fastest bowler will be fit for the first Ashes Test on 21 November.
“His recovery is probably a little bit slower than we thought but we’re always erring on the side of caution,” said Key.
“The thing Woody always has going for him is he’s never been someone that needs to play lots and lots of games to get into form. He’s someone that can bowl in nets, bowl in middle practice, then all of a sudden he runs up and bowls 95mph.”
Surrey all-rounder Jacks was chosen as the back-up spinner to Shoaib Bashir, ahead of Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach and Liam Dawson.
Off-spinner Jacks has taken only five first-class wickets this year but, like Bashir, offers England height, as well as the option to boost their batting.
“In what we have coming up, we think Jacks offers a lot of different options,” said Key.
Key also confirmed leg-spinner Ahmed will be named in the England Lions squad that will be in Australia the same time as the senior group, so could be called into the Test party if required.
Rams coach Sean McVay will evaluate roster hopefuls on Saturday when the Rams play the Chargers in a preseason game at SoFi Stadium.
But as was the case last week when the Rams played the Dallas Cowboys, the most important evaluation will occur hours before kickoff at the Rams’ Woodland Hills training facility.
And McVay and the Rams are hopeful that the aftermath of the session will be better than the last.
According to McVay, during Stafford’s first throwing session, the 17th-year pro looked “awesome.”
That’s not how Stafford — or the Rams — felt in the days that followed: Stafford did not begin practicing as scheduled.
There are still three weeks remaining before the Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium. So there is still plenty of time for one of the NFL’s most experienced players to prepare for the opener and the 16 games that will follow.
A painless recovery from Saturday’s workout would be a start.
Here are five things to watch during Saturday’s game:
Will the Rams neutralize Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert?
Since McVay does not play starters or other significant players during preseason games, that means drafted rookies and others hoping to make an impression will get the opportunity to do so against frontline players for several snaps.
Rams rookie linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul is expected to again call defensive signals, and rookie edge rusher Josaiah Stewart is aiming for his second sack.
Cornerbacks Derion Kendrick, Shaun Jolly, Josh Wallace and Cam Lampkin could go against veteran receiver Kennan Allen.
Can quarterback Stetson Bennett continue to play with efficiency?
Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett throws a pass to wide receiver Britain Covey at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 9.
Bennett does not have to be spectacular to give McVay at least some confidence that he could manage the offense if Stafford does not recover from his back issue and if veteran Jimmy Garoppolo suffers an injury.
Bennett’s renewed confidence was evident during training camp and against the Cowboys. It was on full display when, after dumping a third-down pass rather than forcing it, he came back on fourth down and connected with receiver Xavier Smith for a long gain.
Is Cody Schrader on track to make the running back rotation?
Rams running back Cody Schrader carries the all past Cowboys defensive back Mike Smith during a preseason game.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
It is clear that McVay wants to see how Blake Corum and rookie Jarquez Hunter would fit as back-ups for starter Kyren Williams.
And with veteran Ronnie Rivers suffering a rib injury against the Cowboys, the door is open for Schrader to continue to impress.
Schrader rushed for a team-best 59 yards in five carries against the Cowboys and turned a pass reception into a nine-yard touchdown. He also played 13 special teams snaps.
Last season, the Rams claimed Schrader off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers at the end of training camp, and then kept him on the roster to prevent other teams from signing him off the practice squad.
Can receiver Xavier Smith lock down a spot?
The Rams’ Xavier Smith, right, is battling for a role in the team’s receiving rotation.
(Stephen Brashear / Associated Press)
On a certain level, it seems like a foregone conclusion.
Smith stepped up and performed in seemingly every opportunity as a special teams player and receiver last season. Now he is aiming to find a spot in a receiver group that includes Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington.
Rookie receiver Konata Mumpfield got most of the compliments from coaches and players during training camp as Smith quietly built his case.
Mumpfield struggled in his first preseason game, but it would not be surprising if he makes adjustments and takes a big step against the Chargers.
How will Aubrey Pleasant handle head coach duties?
Rams defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant leaves the field after beating the Chargers last preseason.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
This is the second year in a row that McVay has given Pleasant, who oversees defensive backs and also holds the title of assistant head coach, the opportunity to be the head coach for a preseason game against the Chargers.
Pleasant will meet with game officials, handle pregame and halftime addresses to the team, oversee game management and handle postgame media responsibilities.
