Tokyo, Sep 27 (V7N) – Former Japanese Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba (67) is set to become Japan's next prime minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election on Friday, defeating nationalist leader Sanae Takaichi in a close contest. This victory marks Ishiba's fifth and final attempt to lead the LDP.

Ishiba, a seasoned politician known for his moderate views, addressed LDP legislators after his win, urging them to trust the people and work together for the safety and well-being of Japan. "We must be on the path of truth with courage and responsibility. Together, we will make Japan safe so that we can all live with smiles again," Ishiba said in an emotional speech.

With the LDP holding a majority in Japan's parliament, Ishiba is expected to succeed current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and officially assume office next week. Kishida and his cabinet will resign on Monday, with Ishiba taking over in a special parliamentary session on Tuesday.

This leadership change comes after Fumio Kishida announced in August that he would not seek re-election as LDP leader, citing declining popularity amidst a financial scandal that rocked the party. Kishida became Prime Minister in 2021 after Yoshihide Suga resigned due to criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shigeru Ishiba's election marks a new chapter in Japanese politics as he prepares to lead the country, which the LDP has governed for nearly seven decades.

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