Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister, has emerged as the winner of the leadership election of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), putting him on track to become the next prime minister of the country. Ishiba, who is 67 years old, secured victory in a close race against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi. Takaichi would have been Japan’s first female prime minister if she had won.
Ishiba’s win comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation in August amidst a series of corruption scandals within the LDP. The party’s majority in parliament means that Ishiba is set to be formally elected as the 65th prime minister on October 1.
Known for his experience in defense matters, Ishiba has pledged to pursue a fairer and kinder Japan, with a focus on security issues and oversight of US bases in Japan. He has also proposed the establishment of an Asian-style NATO. In terms of the economy, Ishiba has questioned the Bank of Japan’s interest rate policy and called for efforts to address rural depopulation.
As a veteran of the LDP, Ishiba’s victory is seen as a significant moment in his fifth attempt to secure the party’s top job. His emphasis on change and transparency has resonated with the Japanese public, amidst discontent over corruption scandals plaguing the party. Ishiba’s leadership will face challenges both domestically, in reviving the economy, and regionally, in tackling security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea.
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