• Takafumi Horie A celebrated Internet tycoon and political neophyte, Horie says his conservative opponent's speeches "are so boring"
• Yuriko Koike A former news anchor, Koike belonged to three different political parties before joining the LDP. Currently Environment Minister, she is considered one of Koizumi's favorites
• Satsuki Katayama This former finance-ministry officer and beauty queen was reportedly told by Koizumi to sell herself in the election as the "Madonna of reform"
• Yukari Sato Credit Suisse's chief economist in Tokyo, Sato's reluctance to provide basic details of her private life has made her a target of weekly tabloids