Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to become Japan’s next prime minister after winning his party’s leadership contest on Friday. The race was highly competitive, culminating in a runoff vote.
At 67, Ishiba will take the reins of the long-dominant, scandal-hit Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and assume leadership of the world’s fourth-largest economy once parliament convenes in October, thanks to the LDP’s majority in the lower house.
Ishiba, one of nine contenders, defeated economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, who aimed to become Japan’s first female leader, in the runoff with 215 votes to Takaichi's 194. Shinjiro Koizumi, a prominent candidate and the US-educated son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, narrowly missed the final vote.
This marks Ishiba’s fifth bid to lead the LDP, a conservative political powerhouse that has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since its establishment in 1955.
Known for his willingness to challenge party orthodoxy, Ishiba has long been an outlier in Japan’s political landscape, which values conformity. His outspoken stance has garnered both critics within the LDP and grassroots support from the public.
Positioned on the more progressive side of the conservative spectrum, Ishiba’s experience in domestic and foreign policy likely secured his path to leadership. After the vote, Ishiba expressed confidence in the party’s future, saying the LDP can now “be reborn and regain the trust of the people.”
He pledged to lead with "courage and sincerity," aiming to create a "safe and secure country where everyone can live with a smile."
The seasoned politician has promised to steer Japan away from high inflation, with a commitment to boosting real wages. He also advocates for policies allowing married women to retain their maiden names, reducing Japan’s reliance on nuclear energy, and creating a NATO-like security alliance in Asia to counter regional threats.
Next Prime Minister Of Japan
Ishiba will replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who announced his resignation in August after serving just one term marred by political scandals. Despite reshuffling his cabinet to mitigate the fallout, Kishida faced mounting pressure to step down.
As leader of the ruling party, Ishiba’s immediate challenge will be to improve the LDP’s image ahead of next year’s general elections. He also inherits a country grappling with rising living costs, worsened by a weak yen.
With a U.S. presidential election on the horizon, Ishiba will have to navigate Japanese relations with the incoming American administration while addressing growing security concerns in Asia, including a more assertive China and unpredictable North Korea.
Japan’s partnership with the U.S. has been a cornerstone of its strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. Under Kishida, Japan expanded its defense cooperation with its key ally, and Ishiba has echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that "what is happening in Ukraine today might be a problem that Northeast Asia faces tomorrow," as reported by Kyodo News.
Japanese citizens have expressed both hope and concern over Ishiba’s leadership. Emi Uchibori, a 67-year-old Tokyo resident, voiced her support for Ishiba, stating, “We need a leader who can firmly guide Japan into the future,” particularly in addressing social welfare and diplomatic relations with China, Russia, and North Korea.
On the other hand, 22-year-old Manami Otsuchi expressed her desire for economic reforms that won’t overly burden younger generations while driving Japan’s growth.
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