Image Credits: mainichi.jp
Shigeru Ishiba, former Defense Minister, has secured victory in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, marking a significant milestone in his political career after five attempts. Ishiba triumphed in a runoff held on Friday against economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, winning 215 votes—189 from LDP lawmakers and 26 from local party chapters—while Takaichi received 194 votes.
Ishiba’s path to leadership was cemented in the initial round, where he garnered 154 votes from a pool of nine candidates, advancing to the decisive runoff after Takaichi’s 181 votes placed her in contention. Renowned for his expertise in defense and commitment to regional revitalization, Ishiba had consistently ranked high in pre-election polls regarding who would best lead the LDP.
Despite his extensive experience, Ishiba has often found himself at odds with the party establishment, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He was critical of Kishida’s handling of a recent political funding scandal affecting LDP factions. Additionally, LDP Vice President Taro Aso, a powerful figure within the party, has been openly antagonistic towards Ishiba.
In a strategic move during the campaign’s final days, Ishiba sought to align himself with Kishida’s policies and attempted to win over Aso, meeting with him just before the runoff. This conciliatory approach may have helped solidify his support within the party.
A seasoned politician, Ishiba has served as a Lower House member since 1986, representing Tottori Prefecture. He previously led the then-Defense Agency under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and held the Defense Minister role in 2007 under Yasuo Fukuda. With the LDP’s backing, Ishiba is set to be officially named Prime Minister following a parliamentary vote next week.