Shigeru Ishiba’s Stunning Comeback: Japan’s New PM Vows to ‘Make Japan Smile Again

Shigeru Ishiba set to become Japan’s new PM

Japanese senior lawmaker Shigeru Ishiba wins the LDP presidential election in the final battle and will become prime minister

Shigeru Ishiba has won the leadership of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a competitive election, defeating hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi. This victory, marking his fifth attempt at the presidency, positions him to become Prime Minister, with a nomination election set for October 1. Ishiba’s win reflects a potential shift within the LDP as members prioritize his public appeal over personal rivalries.

Facing challenges such as rising living costs and a complex security landscape in East Asia, Ishiba advocates for a balanced U.S. relationship and has proposed an “Asian version of NATO.” His election has garnered support from U.S. officials while prompting caution from China, particularly after his recent visit to Taiwan, where he emphasized shared security interests.

Key Concepts

• Shigeru Ishiba has been elected as the leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is poised to become the next Prime Minister.
• Ishiba defeated hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a runoff election, marking his fifth attempt for the presidency.
• His victory is seen as a shift within the LDP, with members prioritizing public appeal over personal rivalries.
• Ishiba’s election comes after a decline in LDP support due to scandals, leading to former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s resignation.
• The Prime Minister Nomination Election is scheduled for October 1, virtually ensuring Ishiba’s ascension to the premiership.
• Ishiba emphasized trust, truthfulness, and collaboration in his victory speech to restore safety and security in Japan.
• His election led to a rise in the yen against the dollar, reversing a previous decline linked to Takaichi’s monetary policies.
• Ishiba faces challenges such as rising living costs and a complex security environment in East Asia, particularly concerning China and North Korea.
• His foreign policy approach includes advocating for a balanced relationship with the U.S. and proposing an “Asian version of NATO.”
• U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel supported Ishiba’s leadership, highlighting the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
• A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged Japan to adopt an “objective and correct” perspective on China following Ishiba’s election.
• Ishiba’s recent visit to Taiwan reaffirmed shared security interests and aims to enhance Japan-Taiwan cooperation for regional stability.

Shigeru Ishiba, 67, a former defense minister, won a fierce party election on Friday to become president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and prime minister of Japan in his fifth and final bid for the presidency.

Veteran politician Shigeru Ishiba defeated hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi in a runoff in one of the most unpredictable leadership contests in decades, with a record nine candidates.

As the Liberal Democratic Party holds most seats in the Diet for half a year, Shigeru Ishiba is certain to become the next Japanese Prime Minister. An extraordinary Diet session is expected to be held on October 1 to hold a “Prime Minister Nomination Election,” after which the new Prime Minister will form a new cabinet.

“We must trust the people, speak the truth bravely and sincerely, and work together to make Japan a safe and secure country again where everyone can live with a smile,” an emotional Ishiba said in a speech to LDP lawmakers after the results were announced.

In August this year, the Liberal Democratic Party’s support rate fell to a historic low due to scandals such as political donations, forcing Fumio Kishida to announce that he would not run for the next prime minister.

Ishiba, who calls himself a “lone wolf,” has failed in four previous presidential campaigns because of his oppositional views and rivalry with colleagues, but he remains popular among the public and has previously said this is his “last battle.”

With the LDP facing a parliamentary election in the next 13 months, analysts said Ishiba’s election showed some in the party appeared to have put aside personal grudges to capitalize on his appeal among the public.

“They tend to support a popular figure who performs well in media appearances and is not afraid to criticize his own party when he thinks the LDP is doing something wrong,” said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies.

The yen rose against the dollar after Ishiba’s victory, reversing an earlier fall caused by news of his runoff against monetary easing and fiscal expansionist Sanae Takaichi.

Ishiba will face a series of challenges at home and abroad.

He must calm discontent in Japan over rising living costs and deal with a volatile security situation in East Asia caused by an increasingly assertive China and a nuclear-armed North Korea.

His foreign policy with the United States, Japan’s closest ally, will be in the spotlight as he has repeatedly called for a more balanced relationship with Washington.

Earlier in his campaign, he called for an “Asian version of NATO,” an idea that would likely anger Beijing and was dismissed as hasty by a senior U.S. official.

Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, congratulated Ishiba and posted on the social media platform X that he looked forward to working with Ishiba to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance. When asked about Ishiba’s appointment, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing hoped Japan would have an “objective and correct” understanding of China.

It is worth noting that Shigeru Ishiba visited Taiwan in August this year and held talks with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. During the visit, it was confirmed that Japan and Taiwan share the same position on security, that is, to enhance deterrence and do everything possible to avoid “trouble in the Taiwan Strait” in order to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that Representative Ishiba had just led a delegation to visit Taiwan a few days ago to exchange views with various sectors of Taiwan on security issues and announced his candidacy during his visit to Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sincerely hopes that the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, under the leadership of President Shigeru Ishiba, will continue to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in the future, jointly promote all-round substantive relations between Taiwan and Japan, and jointly maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.