Who Is Shigeru Ishiba? Former Defence Minister, Set To Become Japan's Next Prime Minister

Shigeru Ishiba, former Defence Minister and leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been elected prime minister, succeeding Fumio Kishida.
Shigeru Ishiba

Japan's new prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba. (Credit: AFP)

Tokyo: Former Defence Minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shigeru Ishiba has been elected as the next prime minister of Japan, succeeding Fumio Kishida on Friday. The elections saw a close battle between Ishiba and nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off vote, making it one of the most unpredictable elections in decades. Ishiba’s LDP has dominated Japan's political landscape for the entire post-war era.
Following Ishiba's win, as per Nikkei Asia, Kishida said, "We must ask the new LDP president, Shigeru Ishiba, to create a strong cabinet with his executive power, decisiveness, and ability to create policies and produce results."

Who Is Shigeru Ishiba?

A veteran lawmaker, former Defence Minister of Japan, leader of LDP and now the prime minister of Japan, the 67-year-old Ishiba has extensively worked on security issues and the revival of the country's rural communities. According to the Nikkei Asia report, Ishiba has been in politics for the past 38 years and has been eyeing the PM's post for long. He failed in his earlier four bids to lead the LDP, including in the 2012 elections against his arch-rival Shinzo Abe, before he finallywon in his fifth attempt.
Ishiba's father has also served as a Cabinet minister. The newly elected prime minister grew up in the remote rural region of Tottori. As per the AFP report, he studied law and then became a banker before he made his way into politics by winning his first parliamentary seat with LDP in 1986 at 29.
He has held several key posts including LDP secretary general, minister of agriculture, and defence minister in his 38 years long political career.
Ishiba was reportedly marginalised by outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, emerging as a dissenting voice within the LDP. He opposed several key policies, including the expanded use of nuclear energy, and criticized the party for not permitting married couples to use different surnames. According to Reuters, Ishiba backs some socially progressive measures, such as legalising separate surnames for married couples—an initiative resisted by Takaichi and other conservative LDP members.
He has also advocated for the creation of an Asian equivalent to NATO to address security threats from China and North Korea, although he has been notably cautious in his rhetoric regarding China.
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