Shigeru Ishiba to replace Fumio Kishida as Japan’s prime minister

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday elected Shigeru Ishiba, former defence minister, as the new prime minister of Japan, replacing Fumio Kishida.

Ishiba, 67, won by a narrow margin over hard-line nationalist Sanae Takaichi and eight other candidates in his fifth and, according to him, the final bid for the Liberal Democratic Party leadership 

Ishiba said he will form a government on Tuesday after a formal vote in parliament.

Ishiba said he wanted to take the ruling party out of the scandalous past and bring in a more open polity where members are open to discuss matters concerning the party and the nation.

Ishiba, whose assumption to leadership in Japan comes at a crucial period for the economy and security of the country, called for safeguarding the nation against incursions from Russia and China and North Korea missile threats.

A well accepted and popular leader, Ishiba has been at odds with groups within the party and has often antagonized even friends with his contrarian views.

Addressing the media after his elevation as leader of the LDP, Ishiba repeated his call for fair, open and impartial conduct of the party’s affairs.

Ishiba also promised to convene a general election at an early date, although it is due in the next 13 months.

Markets cheered Ishiba’s win with the yen bouncing back with gains over the US dollar. The Japanese currency also made gains over the euro.