Shigeru Ishiba to become Japan’s next PM after winning governing party vote
Al Jazeera
Ex-defence minister has won the leadership election of the Liberal Democratic Party which holds a majority in parliament.
Shigeru Ishiba has won the leadership election of Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is set to become the country’s next prime minister.
The former defence minister, 67, prevailed on Friday in a tight contest, defeating Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, 63, in a run-off after none of the nine candidates won a majority in the first round of voting earlier in the day.
The final count was 215-194.
“This is a remarkable victory for Ishiba, who is considered a veteran of the LDP,” said Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Tokyo. “This is his fifth attempt trying to get the LDP’s top job.”
Takaichi would have become Japan’s first female prime minister if she had won the leadership race.
