Shigeru Ishiba, a 67-year-old former defense minister, has been elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), effectively securing his position as the country’s next prime minister. Ishiba’s victory on Friday came after a highly competitive race featuring a record nine candidates, marking his successful fifth and self-proclaimed final attempt at party leadership.
Ishiba narrowly defeated hard-line nationalist Sanae Takaichi in the final round of voting. The LDP’s majority in parliament virtually assures that Ishiba will be confirmed as prime minister in a special session scheduled for Tuesday.
In his first press conference as party leader, Ishiba outlined his priorities: “We ought to be a party that lets members discuss the truth in a free and open manner, a party that is fair and impartial on all matters and a party with humility.” He emphasized the need to clean up the LDP, which has been plagued by recent scandals, including undocumented political donations that led to record-low approval ratings.
Addressing Japan’s security concerns, Ishiba cited recent incursions from Russia and China into Japanese territory and North Korea’s repeated missile tests as evidence for the need to strengthen national defense. He also stressed the importance of revitalizing consumption in the world’s fourth-largest economy to fully emerge from a prolonged period of economic stagnation.
The leadership race was triggered by outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s announcement in August that he would step down due to a series of scandals. Ishiba, long popular with the general public but often at odds with party elites, benefited from a more open voting process following the disbandment of powerful LDP factions.
Ishiba’s victory suggests that party members have set aside personal grievances to capitalize on his public appeal. Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, noted that the party has “gravitated towards a popular figure who does well in media appearances and isn’t afraid to criticise his own party when he thinks they’re in the wrong.”
The new leader faces numerous challenges, including quelling public anger over rising living costs, navigating a volatile security environment in East Asia, and managing Japan’s crucial alliance with the United States. Ishiba has called for a more balanced relationship with Washington and proposed creating an “Asian NATO,” an idea that could provoke tension with Beijing.
Ishiba’s contrarian views on issues such as nuclear energy and married couples’ surnames have previously put him at odds with party leadership. As he forms his cabinet, analysts suggest he will need to draw from a wide base to solidify his rule over a fractured party.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel congratulated Ishiba, expressing eagerness to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson expressed hope that Japan would maintain an “objective and correct” understanding of China under its new leadership.
