Shigeru Ishiba Set to Become Japan’s New Prime Minister After Winning Party Leadership

Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 27-09-2024

Shigeru Ishiba, former defense minister of Japan, has secured the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning him to become the nation’s next prime minister. The LDP holds a majority in parliament, ensuring that the party leader will assume the role of prime minister.

The 67-year-old Ishiba emerged victorious on Friday following a tight race, defeating Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, 63, in a second-round runoff. No candidate had achieved a majority in the initial round, which led to the final vote, where Ishiba won with 215 votes to Takaichi’s 194.

“This is a significant victory for Ishiba, who is regarded as a senior figure in the LDP,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Rob McBride from Tokyo. “This is his fifth attempt at securing the party’s leadership.”

Had she won, Takaichi would have been Japan’s first female prime minister. Known for her right-wing stance, she is seen as a prominent figure within the LDP. “Her victory would have been historic, both for the LDP and for Japan, marking the first time a woman held the office of prime minister,” McBride added, reporting from outside the parliament building.

The leadership contest was triggered by current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s decision to resign in August, following multiple corruption scandals involving members of the LDP. With the party’s majority in parliament, Ishiba’s election as the 65th prime minister is expected to be formalized on October 1.

Despite previous unsuccessful bids for the LDP’s top position, Ishiba enjoys significant public support. As dissatisfaction within the party grows due to ongoing scandals, Ishiba’s reputation for fairness has strengthened his appeal. According to Yu Uchiyama, a politics professor at the University of Tokyo, “the public sentiment has shifted in favor of Ishiba and his ‘fair and square’ approach.”

Following his win, Ishiba made brief remarks to his fellow lawmakers, emphasizing his vision for a “fairer and kinder Japan.” He became visibly emotional as the final results were announced.

Ishiba’s campaign primarily centered on national security, advocating for greater oversight of U.S. military bases in Japan. McBride noted that “he is widely regarded as a defense expert, and his proposals, including the idea of forming an Asian equivalent to NATO, suggest he will take a more assertive approach to Japan’s role on the global stage.”

On economic matters, Ishiba has expressed concerns about the Bank of Japan’s unconventional interest rate policies. As a former agriculture minister, he has also highlighted the need to combat the ongoing depopulation of rural areas.

LDP leaders serve for three years and can hold the position for up to three consecutive terms. The LDP has maintained control over Japanese politics for the majority of recent decades, with opposition parties rarely seen as credible alternatives.

Japan’s incoming prime minister will face critical challenges, both domestically and internationally. Regionally, Ishiba will need to address security concerns stemming from an increasingly assertive China, deepening ties between China and Russia, and North Korea’s missile tests. Domestically, he will need to revitalize the economy as the central bank moves away from years of monetary easing that have led to a weakened yen.

McBride concluded, “Ishiba’s reputation as a reformer and his promise to bring change to the party might resonate with a skeptical Japanese public.”