Shigeru Ishiba secures leadership of Japan’s ruling LDP, poised to become next PM

Shigeru Ishiba has emerged victorious in the leadership race for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning him as the country’s next prime minister. The former defense minister, 67, won a tightly contested run-off on Friday against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hawkish figure who, had she won, would have become Japan’s first female prime minister.

Ishiba’s win comes after a five-time pursuit of the top job in the LDP, finally securing the party’s leadership amid growing public dissatisfaction and corruption scandals that forced current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to step down. Kishida announced his resignation in August following a series of controversies that have shaken Japan’s largest political party.

Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Tokyo, noted the significance of Ishiba’s long-standing efforts to lead the LDP, stating, “He is a longstanding LDP veteran. This is his fifth attempt at the top job.” While Ishiba’s appeal to the public is undeniable, his road to leadership within the party has been challenging, with his prior bids falling short.

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Takaichi, meanwhile, would have broken new ground in Japanese politics. As McBride reported, “She’s a fairly renowned, right-wing and hawkish figure. She would have made history not only in the LDP, but also Japan as [the country’s] first woman prime minister.”

Ishiba’s campaign message resonated with both lawmakers and the public. He emphasized a “fairer and kinder Japan,” an approach that brought tears to his eyes as the final results were read out. His victory taps into a broader public desire for change within the LDP, with University of Tokyo politics professor Yu Uchiyama remarking before the vote, “The tide is in favour of Ishiba and his ‘fair and square’ attitude.”

The new LDP president is expected to be formally appointed as Japan’s 65th prime minister on October 1, given the party’s dominant majority in the legislature. He will take on a range of domestic and international challenges, from reinvigorating the stagnant Japanese economy to addressing escalating security concerns in the region.

Ishiba’s background in defense is likely to shape his foreign policy approach. His campaign focused heavily on security issues, with calls for more oversight of U.S. military bases in Japan and the creation of an “Asian NATO” to counter growing regional threats, particularly from China, Russia, and North Korea.

Domestically, Ishiba has raised concerns about the Bank of Japan’s unconventional interest rate policies and has called for more efforts to address rural depopulation, a pressing issue for Japan’s aging population. His leadership will be key as Japan navigates its economic future while moving away from decades of monetary easing that have weakened the yen.

As he steps into office, Ishiba faces the challenge of uniting a party shaken by scandals, while also confronting significant geopolitical and economic pressures. Yet, after years of perseverance, his moment has finally arrived.