LDP President Takaichi likely to be elected prime minister on first nomination round, with majority expected

TL;DR Three independent members of House of Representatives are expected to vote for LDP president Sane Takaichi to become Japan's prime minister. Combined with 196 seats from LDP and 35 seats from Nippon Ishin, the total will be 234 seats, enough to elect Takaichi as the prime minister in the first round of votes. The key is if there are any defections from LDP or Nippon Ishin members.