Shigeru Ishiba won the race to become Japan’s next prime minister on Friday. He will now succeed Japan’s current premier Fumio Kishida as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the nation’s next prime minister.
The elections on Friday saw a close fight between Ishiba and hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off vote. It was seen as one of the most unpredictable leadership elections in decades, with a record nine candidates in the fray.
Who is Shigeru Ishiba?
Shigeru Ishiba is a veteran lawmaker and former Defence Minister of Japan. He is the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP )which has ruled Japan for almost all of the post-war era.
According to Reuters, Ishiba supports some socially progressive policies like changing the law to allow married couples to use separate surnames, a move opposed by Takaichi and other more conservative LDP lawmakers.
