Former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been elected the next Prime Minster of Japan on his fifth attempt, winning a competitive race among nine candidates to succeed Fumio Kishida. Ishiba will take oath as Japan's 102nd Prime Minister on October 1, the same day Fumio Kishida officially steps down from the role.
The 67-year-old Shigeru Ishiba emerged victorious over hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off vote, concluding one of Japan's most unpredictable leadership elections in decades, featuring a record nine candidates.
As the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has dominated Japan’s post-war political scene, Ishiba is guaranteed to become the next Prime Minister given the party's majority in parliament.
Who Is Shigeru Ishiba?
Shigeru Ishiba is a seasoned Japanese politician and former Defence Minister, known for his long tenure with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has largely dominated Japan’s political landscape since World War II. At 67, Ishiba has made five attempts to become Prime Minister, culminating in his recent election as the country’s leader. His political focus has primarily revolved around national security and revitalizing rural communities.
Ishiba supports socially progressive reforms, such as allowing married couples to have separate surnames, a stance that sets him apart from more conservative members of the LDP. He has also advocated for the establishment of an Asian version of NATO to address regional security threats from China and North Korea, though he approaches discussions about China with caution. A former banker, Ishiba began his political career in 1986 and has held several significant positions within the government, including LDP secretary general and minister for agriculture.