TOKYO – Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, secured victory in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election Friday, defeating former Economic Security Chief Sanae Takaichi in a runoff vote, 205-194.
Ishiba is set to succeed Fumio Kishida as Japan’s 102nd prime minister. His platform focuses on enhancing the nation’s disaster preparedness through the creation of a Ministry of Disaster Prevention, while also addressing key issues such as economic reform, reversing population decline, and revitalizing regional areas.
Other contenders for the LDP presidency were Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Digital Minister Taro Kono, former Health Minister Katsunobu Kato, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and LDP Secretary General and former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. - Florenda Corpuz
