Shigeru Ishiba, the former defence minister, has won the leadership election of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is poised to become the country’s next prime minister. Ishiba, a longstanding LDP veteran, defeated Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi in a closely contested run-off after no candidate secured a majority in the first round of voting. Takaichi would have been Japan’s first female prime minister if she had won.
Ishiba, who is a popular figure with the public but has failed to secure the top job in the LDP on four previous occasions, emerged as the winner amidst a series of corruption scandals within the party. His campaign focused on security issues, including proposals for more oversight over US military bases in Japan and the creation of an “Asian NATO.” He has also raised concerns about the Bank of Japan’s interest rate policy and called for efforts to address rural depopulation.
As the LDP holds a majority in parliament, Ishiba is expected to be officially elected as Japan’s 65th prime minister on October 1. He will face challenges including regional security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea, as well as the task of revitalizing the economy amid changes in the central bank’s monetary policies. Ishiba’s victory in the leadership election reflects a shift in sentiment among party members towards his ‘fair and square’ approach, as he looks set to lead Japan at a critical juncture in its history.
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