Shigeru Ishiba Becomes Japan’s New Prime Minister
Tokyo, Japan – Following the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August, Shigeru Ishiba, a former Defence Minister, has been elected as the new head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Ishiba won the presidential election on Friday, marking a significant shift in Japan’s political landscape.
Election Details
Shigeru Ishiba, who has made four previous unsuccessful attempts to secure the party leader position, won the election with 215 votes, narrowly defeating economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, who received 194 votes. Takaichi had previously contested against Kishida in 2021.
Campaign Focus
Ishiba’s campaign centered on security-related topics. He has advocated for more control over Washington’s use of its facilities in Japan and giving Japan a voice in potential US nuclear weapons deployment in Asia. He also suggested the creation of an ‘Asian NATO’.
Economic Policies
The 67-year-old has questioned the Bank of Japan’s unconventional interest rate strategy and has expressed concerns about the economy. Ishiba, who received his law degree from Keio University, enjoys making military models and has a keen interest in trains and 1970s pop idols.
Future Plans
Ishiba is expected to select new LDP executives on Monday and form his cabinet after being elected prime minister at an extraordinary Diet session set to begin on October 1. He will lead Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, amid challenges such as a weakening yen, inflation, growing national debt, and wage stagnation. The country also faces increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, including North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and China’s growing military threats.
Other Candidates
Other candidates in the election included former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and former health minister Katsunobu Kato.
Doubts Revealed
Shigeru Ishiba -: Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician who has become the new Prime Minister of Japan. He was previously the Defence Minister of Japan.
LDP -: LDP stands for Liberal Democratic Party, which is a major political party in Japan. It is the ruling party, meaning it has the most power in the government.
Fumio Kishida -: Fumio Kishida is the previous leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and the former Prime Minister of Japan. Shigeru Ishiba is taking over his position.
Sanae Takaichi -: Sanae Takaichi is another politician in Japan who was competing against Shigeru Ishiba in the LDP election. She got 194 votes but did not win.
Diet -: The Diet is Japan’s national parliament or assembly where laws are made. An extraordinary Diet session is a special meeting of this parliament.
cabinet -: A cabinet is a group of top leaders in the government chosen by the Prime Minister. They help make important decisions and run different parts of the government.
