Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, has won the leadership election of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, positioning him to become the country’s next prime minister. After a close contest, Ishiba defeated Sanae Takaichi, the Economic Security Minister, in a run-off with a final count of 215-194. Takaichi, had she won, would have been Japan’s first female prime minister.
Ishiba’s victory is significant as he is seen as a veteran of the LDP and has unsuccessfully attempted to secure the party’s top job four times in the past. With the resignation of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August, amid corruption scandals within the LDP, Ishiba’s win signals a shift in public sentiment in his favor.
He ran on a platform focused on security issues, promising more oversight over US bases in Japan and proposing the establishment of an Asian-style NATO. Ishiba also addressed economic concerns and rural depopulation, questioning the Bank of Japan’s interest rate policy.
As the incoming prime minister, Ishiba will face challenges both regionally, such as dealing with China and North Korea, and domestically, with revitalizing the economy. His victory marks a potential turning point for the LDP, as he is seen as a change agent who resonates with a cynical Japanese public. The party’s majority in parliament ensures his formal election as prime minister on October 1.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
