Japan is set to choose its fourth PM in five years - who could be next?

Here is a 187-word summary of the news article: Japan is set to choose its fourth prime minister in just five years, as the country's political landscape remains unstable. The new leader will face the daunting task of reviving a weakened government and addressing pressing issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a stagnant economy, and the country's aging population. Leading contenders for the position include Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the vaccine rollout, and Fumio Kishida, a former foreign minister. Kono is seen as a reformist who could shake up the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, while Kishida is viewed as a safe, consensus-building choice. Other potential candidates include former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba and former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi. The new prime minister will have a limited window to make an impact before facing a general election that must be held by November 2021. Whomever is chosen, they will need to quickly establish their authority and develop a clear vision to address Japan's myriad challenges and restore public trust in the government.