• Japan’s ruling party picks next PM
• Shigeru Ishiba was chosen to be the new party leader – and with a majority becomes the prime minister as well
• His victory comes at a difficult time for the party, shaken by recent scandals

Japan’s ruling party picks next PM

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has elected veteran politician Shigeru Ishiba as its new leader, positioning him to become the next prime minister. The leadership race was triggered after current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced last month that he would not seek re-election.

With the LDP holding a parliamentary majority, the party’s new leader automatically becomes prime minister. Ishiba’s victory comes during a challenging period for the LDP, which has been shaken by scandals and internal divisions that have weakened its once-dominant factions.

Ishiba, 67, emerged as the frontrunner in public opinion polls. This marks his fifth—and what he says will be his final—attempt to lead the party. The leadership contest began with nine candidates but ultimately came down to a runoff between Ishiba and Sanae Takaichi, who was vying to become Japan’s first female prime minister.

Known for his candour and willingness to criticise Prime Minister Kishida—a rarity in Japanese politics—Ishiba has garnered both support and controversy. He advocates for the allowance of female emperors, a divisive issue within the LDP. His outspoken nature has rankled party insiders but resonated with the public.