Tokyo: Shigeru Ishiba has been confirmed as the next prime minister of Japan by the parliament. The move position Shigeru Ishiba to officially unveil the cabinet as he prepares for a snap election on October 27.
The 67-year-old former defence minister secured the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after a closely contested election last week. Ishiba was chosen as the party leader, succeeding Fumio Kishida, who resigned earlier to make way for the transition.
Ishiba is expected to hold a press conference following a formal appointment ceremony at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. As Ishiba steps into power, he faces the dual challenges of addressing public discontent over rising living costs and managing the ongoing scandals surrounding his party. Additionally, the leader must face a complex security landscape in East Asia, characterised by an increasingly assertive China and the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.
Ishiba, who has previously attempted to lead the party on four occasions without success, has begun assembling the cabinet. Notable appointments include Katsunobu Kato as finance minister and Yoshimasa Hayashi, who will continue as chief cabinet secretary, a critical role that involves serving as the top government spokesman.
Takeshi Iwaya, will assume the position of foreign minister, while Gen Nakatani returns to the defence ministry, a role he previously held in 2016. Yoji Muto, a former junior minister, has been appointed to lead the economy, trade, and industry ministry.
Ishiba’s administration will focus on strengthening diplomatic ties with the United States. The new prime minister has advocated for a more balanced relationship with US and proposed the creation of an Asian equivalent of NATO for collective security against China.
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