Veteran lawmaker Shigeru Ishiba is set to become Japan's next prime minister after winning a closely fought contest today in his fifth and final attempt to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Ishiba prevailed over hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a run-off vote in what was seen as one of the most unpredictable leadership elections in decades with a record nine candidates in the field.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The leader of the LDP, which has ruled Japan for almost all of the post-war era, is essentially assured of becoming Japan's premier because of its majority in parliament.
The scramble to replace current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was sparked last month when he announced his intention to step down over a series of scandals that plunged the LDP's ratings to record lows.
Ishiba was on a three-day visit to Taipei with other Japanese lawmakers when Kishida made the announcement.
Asked by reporters if Japan would defend Taiwan if war were to break out in the Taiwan Strait, Ishiba at the time said the top priority for Tokyo was to make sure such a scenario would never happen.
Ishiba must quell anger at home over rising living costs and navigate a volatile security environment in East Asia fuelled by an increasingly assertive China and nuclear-armed North Korea.
In brief comments made to lawmakers before the run-off, Ishiba called for a fairer and kinder Japan and tears welled in his eyes after the final results were read out.
Ishiba has courted controversy with his peers for going against the grain and challenging previous leaders, and has failed in four previous leadership bids.
He has said he will not run again after this contest.
He supports some socially progressive policies like changing the law to allow married couples to use separate surnames, a move opposed by Takaichi and other more conservative LDP lawmakers.
Additional reporting by CNA
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