Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, has won the leadership election of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is set to become the country’s next prime minister. Ishiba, a veteran of the LDP, won a tight contest against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, with a final count of 215-194. If Takaichi had won, she would have become Japan’s first female prime minister.
Ishiba’s victory comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation in August amid corruption scandals within the LDP. The party’s majority in parliament means that the winner of the leadership race is certain to be formally elected as the 65th prime minister by October 1.
Ishiba’s campaign focused on security issues, promising a fairer and kinder Japan while also advocating for more oversight over US bases in Japan. He is popular with the public but has failed four times to secure the LDP’s top job. Ishiba has also questioned the Bank of Japan’s interest rate policy and called for more efforts to address rural depopulation.
As Japan’s new prime minister, Ishiba will need to address regional security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea, as well as breathe life into the country’s economy as the central bank moves away from monetary easing. Ishiba is seen as a change agent in the LDP, promising to bring new ideas to the party and resonating with a cynical Japanese public.
Ishiba’s victory marks a potential turning point for Japan as he prepares to lead the country in facing these challenges and enacting his vision for a fairer, more assertive Japan on the international stage.
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