Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, emerged victorious in the ruling party’s leadership vote on Friday, propelling him to the position of Japan’s next prime minister. His official count showed he defeated arch-nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off with 215 votes to 194.
After the result was announced at the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters in Tokyo, Ishiba wiped his teary eyes, bowed repeatedly, and expressed his commitment to serving the people with courage and sincerity to create a safe and secure environment.
Having come close to the top job before, Ishiba’s experience in handling tough social issues, such as agriculture reforms, positioned him as a qualified candidate.
As he prepares to tackle regional security threats and revitalize the economy, Ishiba’s victory was welcomed by policymakers at the Bank of Japan, causing the Japanese yen to surge against the dollar.
Third-placed Shinjiro Koizumi, with his father being a former prime minister, trailed behind Ishiba and Takaichi in the election.
Despite concerns about rising defence spending and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, the LDP remains a dominant force in Japanese politics.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s term, marked by efforts to strengthen defence capabilities and improve international relationships, faced challenges due to scandals and public dissatisfaction, paving the way for Ishiba’s victory.
bur-kaf/ssy
