Veteran Japan lawmaker Shigeru Ishiba to be next PM
TOKYO—Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to become Japan’s prime minister after winning a closely fought contest on Friday in his fifth and what he called final attempt to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The 67-year-old political veteran prevailed over hard-line nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a runoff vote in what was one of the most unpredictable leadership elections in decades with a record nine candidates in the field.
The leader of the LDP, which has ruled Japan for almost all of the postwar era, is essentially assured of becoming the next premier because of its majority in parliament. A special session of parliament is scheduled for Tuesday to vote Ishiba into office.
“We must believe in the people, speak the truth with courage and sincerity, and work together to make Japan a safe and secure country where everyone can live with a smile once again,” an emotional Ishiba said in a speech to LDP lawmakers after the result.
Lone wolf
The scramble to replace premier Fumio Kishida was sparked in August when he announced he would step down over a series of scandals that plunged the LDP’s ratings to record lows.
Ishiba, a self-proclaimed lone wolf whose contrarian views and spats with colleagues contributed to four previous failed leadership bids, has long been popular with the general public. But he said this was his “final battle.”
With the LDP facing an general election some time in the next 13 months, analysts said Ishiba’s selection suggests some in the party appear to have put aside personal grievances to harness his public appeal.
The yen strengthened against the dollar following Ishiba’s victory, reversing a fall on news he would face the runoff against Takaichi, a monetary dove and fiscal expansionist.
China, North Korea
Ishiba faces a raft of challenges at home and abroad.
He must quell anger over rising living costs and simmering anger about his scandal-plagued party, and navigate a volatile security environment in East Asia fueled by an increasingly assertive China and nuclear-armed North Korea.
His approach to diplomacy with Japan’s closest ally, the United States, will be in focus given he has repeatedly called for a more balanced relationship with Washington.
Drawing Beijing’s ire
In his campaign, he called for the creation of an Asian Nato, an idea that could draw ire from Beijing and has already been dismissed by a senior US official as hasty.
The US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, congratulated Ishiba, posting on X that he looked forward to working with him to strengthen the US-Japan alliance.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, asked about Ishiba’s appointment, said Beijing hopes Japan has an “objective and correct” understanding of China.
