Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected prime minister of Japan, is a well-respected lawmaker with a deep knowledge of security policies.
As a former defense minister, Ishiba has advocated for strengthening the military and proposed the idea of an Asian NATO, which could potentially strain relations with China. However, he is cautious in his approach towards China.
He believes that Japan’s military should have the ability to respond more assertively if territorial airspace or waters are violated. Currently, the only option is to issue a warning shot, a fact that China is “well aware” of, according to Ishiba.
Despite his popularity among the public, Ishiba has faced four unsuccessful attempts to lead his party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, he managed to secure victory this time against a nationalist candidate.
Yu Uchiyama, a politics professor at the University of Tokyo, noted that Ishiba has in the past criticized LDP policies under Abe, which alienated party leaders. However, his recent focus on reforming the party and addressing funding scandals may have contributed to his success.
In addition to security, Ishiba has also highlighted the importance of disaster prevention in Japan, a country prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy rains.
With a background in law and experience as a banker, Ishiba entered politics at a young age and has held various key positions within the LDP. He is known for his passion for trains, 1970s pop idols, and building military models.
Leading up to his election, Ishiba emphasized policies to stimulate the economy, including promoting investment in the chip and AI sectors and advocating for a mix of nuclear and renewable energy sources.
He supports the Bank of Japan’s departure from unconventional monetary policies and plans to increase defense spending to meet NATO standards by 2027, funded in part by a corporate tax hike.
Furthermore, Ishiba aims to address Japan’s declining birth rate by focusing on workplace reforms and supporting parents, while also tackling rural depopulation through economic revitalization.
Reflecting on his setbacks and experiences, Ishiba believes his unique qualifications make him well-suited for the job of prime minister, as he continues to push for reforms to prevent future mistakes.