Tokyo: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has appointed veteran lawmaker and former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba as the new prime minister. This decision comes after a closely fought contest, marking Ishiba’s fifth and final attempt to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He triumphed over hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off vote, in what has been regarded as one of the most unpredictable leadership elections in decades.
The leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has dominated Japanese politics since the post-war era, is virtually guaranteed to become Japan’s next prime minister next week due to the party’s parliamentary majority. The push to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began in August after he announced his resignation amid scandals that led to historically low approval ratings for the LDP.
Shigeru Ishiba secured 215 votes in Japan’s ruling party leadership race, defeating Sanae Takaichi, who received 194 votes. Following Ishiba’s victory, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel congratulated him and expressed eagerness to collaborate in strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Shashi Rai
