Shigeru Ishiba was confirmed as Japan’s next prime minister by parliament on Tuesday, marking a significant political moment as the 67-year-old takes the helm of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and prepares to lead the country into a snap general election scheduled for October 27.
A former defence minister, Ishiba emerged victorious in a hard-fought leadership contest last week and is now set to unveil his new cabinet following his formal appointment by the Emperor in a ceremony at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.
Ishiba, who has long been considered a party outsider, faces the immediate challenge of unifying the divided LDP while also tackling domestic frustrations over rising living costs and various scandals that have plagued his party.
Beyond these internal issues, the new prime minister must confront an increasingly volatile security environment in East Asia, where China’s growing assertiveness and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions continue to raise concerns for Japan.
Ishiba, now at the helm of his country’s leadership after four previous unsuccessful leadership bids, will have to act quickly in selecting government and party officials who will contest the upcoming election alongside him. His initial appointments include key figures from within the LDP, two of whom were rivals in the recent leadership race: Katsunobu Kato, who is expected to serve as finance minister, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, who will remain in the influential role of chief cabinet secretary, acting as the government’s top spokesman.
A close ally of Ishiba, Takeshi Iwaya, a former defence chief, has been appointed as foreign minister, while Gen Nakatani, who held the defence ministry portfolio in 2016, will return to that position, solidifying the core of the new cabinet. Additionally, Yoji Muto, a former junior minister, will be responsible for managing the country’s economy, trade, and industry, according to sources familiar with the appointments.
Ishiba’s tenure comes at a time when Japan’s diplomatic approach, especially its relationship with the United States, is expected to be closely scrutinised. The new prime minister has previously called for a more balanced relationship with Washington, a stance that could shift Japan’s foreign policy in subtle but important ways.
In a move that has sparked international attention, Ishiba has proposed the creation of an Asian version of NATO, aimed at deterring China’s influence in the region. While this idea has garnered support from some quarters, it has been criticised by Beijing and dismissed by a senior U.S. official as premature.
During his victory speech, Ishiba stressed the importance of strengthening Japan’s security, referencing recent territorial incursions by both Chinese and Russian military vessels. His strong stance on bolstering defence may signal a shift towards a more proactive military strategy, further amplified by the strategic appointments of former defence chiefs to key cabinet positions.
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