Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been elected as the leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers. He is going to be the next prime minister of the country. AP news
Ishiba, 67, defeated Sanai Takaichi, a staunch nationalist and disciple of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, to become party leader.
These two took the top position among the nine candidates in the first phase. Ishiba won the runoff vote today by 215 vs 194 votes.
In a short speech, he said, ‘I want to trust people. I want to tell the truth with courage and sincerity. I want to keep this country safe and secure, so that everyone can live here with a smile again.’
Ishiba was defeated by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2012.