Former Japanese Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba is going to be the next prime minister after winning the presidential election in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He defeated economic security minister Sanae Takaichi in a runoff vote, taking 215 votes against Takaichi with 194. This outcome provides Takaichi with a slim miss for becoming the first-ever woman Prime Minister of Japan. She previously challenged current Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in 2021.
The election follows the announcement by Kishida in August that he would not run for re-election. The LDP, with its majority in parliament, is bound to decide on the premier’s appointment.
Ishiba, 67, a very active participant in Japanese politics, has also been the agriculture minister of Japan. During an extraordinary session of the Diet scheduled for October 1.
The other aspirants for the topmost post included the 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 the former health minister Katsunobu Kato.
Ahead of his attempt to lead the world’s fourth-largest economy, Ishiba still faces massive challenges. Today, Japan confronts a weakening yen, inflation on the rise, surging national debt, and also wages unchanged. Besides this, it also has to deal with the strengthening tensions in the Asia-Pacific. Especially concerning the North Korea’s nuclear ambition and China’s threat of growing militancy.
Ishiba has been an outspoken supporter of Taiwanese democracy. And has advocated the formation of an “Asian NATO” to counter the now dual security threats from China and North Korea. But those ideas have not found much in favor among many observers in Washington, the Washington Times reports. Now, as Ishiba assumes this new portfolio. His expertise in defense policy will be badly needed to tackle some of Japan’s hot potatoes.
ANI
