Shigeru Ishiba Elected as Japan’s Next PM

Shigeru Ishiba, a seasoned politician, becomes Japan’s next PM, aiming to unite the LDP and address pressing challenges ahead.

Shigeru Ishiba, a well-known politician in Japan, has been chosen to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is expected to become the next prime minister.

He is known for his varied interests, such as curry and anime, and now faces the challenge of bringing his divided party together and dealing with an opposition that is using recent corruption scandals to its advantage.

Ishiba’s popularity among voters is in contrast to his difficult relationships with other conservative LDP members.

He has often criticized the policies of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and is seen as a maverick by some.

His recent victory is seen as a significant achievement, possibly signaling a shift away from Abe’s influence, especially after his assassination.

Some experts believe that Ishiba’s centrist approach played a key role in his selection, making him a strong contender against the more progressive opposition.

At 67, Ishiba is starting what he calls his “final battle” in the party leadership race, his fifth attempt at this role.

First elected to the parliament in 1986, Ishiba was influenced by the late Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, who was very popular.

He has held important positions, including defense minister and agriculture minister, and has been a part of Abe’s administration.

With Ishiba in charge, the LDP is looking for his experience to counter the challenges from the main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, which has just elected former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda as its new leader.

Political analysts suggest that centrist figures like Ishiba are often chosen by parties to increase their chances of winning elections, indicating that Ishiba might do well in future political battles with the opposition.

Ishiba is also known for his work on defense issues, advocating for an Asian NATO and a more balanced Japan-U.S. security alliance, including the establishment of Self-Defense Force bases in the U.S.

He is also a strong supporter of Taiwan’s democracy and believes in creating a disaster management agency for Japan, which is known for its vulnerability to natural disasters.

Ishiba is dedicated to promoting diversity and gender equality in Japan. He has called for changing a law from the 19th century that requires married couples to adopt one partner’s surname, a practice that often leads to women taking their husband’s name.

Efforts to change this law have been difficult due to opposition from the LDP for many years.

In a recent speech in Tokyo, he pointed out that Japanese women are among the shortest sleepers in the world due to their heavy work and domestic responsibilities, and that many husbands, including himself, do not help much with childcare and household chores.

Ishiba is a strong advocate for allowing same-sex marriage in Japan. He is very interested in security and defense, likes making model ships, enjoys music from the 1970s and ’80s, and loves eating curried rice.