Japan’s former Defense Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is all set to become Japan’s new Prime Minister after securing the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a ballot of party lawmakers and members on Friday.

Ishiba, a plain-spoken populist and former defense minister, won the LDP’s leadership on his fifth attempt, which he described as his “final battle.” Ishiba emerged victorious from a nine-strong field, promising to revitalize rural areas and restore public trust following a series of scandals that led to the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Ishiba will officially assume office on October 1, following a formal parliamentary vote.

In his victory speech, Ishiba emphasized the need for unity within the party to regain public confidence. “Prime Minister Kishida has made a decision to let the LDP be reborn and win back the public’s trust,” Ishiba stated. “We must all pull together to respond to this.”

Who is Ishiba Shigeru?

A native of Tokyo, Ishiba has a unique blend of establishment and rebel credentials. He briefly worked in banking before embarking on a political career following the death of his father, a former lawmaker and cabinet member. Ishiba is perceived as being distant from the right-wing faction of the party centered around the late Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister, who was assassinated in 2022. Ishiba has reportedly declined several cabinet posts under Abe, which has contributed to his image as an outsider within the party.

Ishiba’s support base lies more with the LDP’s broad membership than with fellow lawmakers, many of whom still view him as a traitor for switching parties in the 1990s. Known for his populist stance, Ishiba has been criticized for changing his position on various issues, including nuclear energy and the possibility of a woman serving as Emperor, depending on public sentiment.

Remarkably, Ishiba is one of only two leadership candidates who do not speak English, while four of the nine candidates were Harvard-educated. He is seen as a more conservative choice compared to his two closest challengers, who would have been either Japan’s youngest or first female leader. The latter, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, led the first-round vote but was ultimately defeated by Ishiba in a runoff.

Despite his conservative image, Ishiba has a distinct rebellious streak. He is one of the few LDP politicians to acknowledge Japan’s mistakes during its 1910-45 colonization of Korea, which could lead to warmer relations with Seoul. However, his call for the establishment of an Asian version of NATO may put him at odds with Beijing.

Help for the US?

Ishiba’s leadership of Japan, a nation of 125 million people, carries significant implications for global security, particularly given Japan’s increasingly prominent role alongside the United States in countering China’s assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. Under Kishida, who announced he would not seek re-election last month due to declining popularity, Japan increased its defense spending and mended historical rifts with South Korea, another key U.S. ally in the region.

However, Ishiba raised concerns by advocating for a rebalancing of defense arrangements, with Japan taking more control and responsibility for its own security. He has previously expressed support for Japan developing its own nuclear deterrent, although it is unlikely he would deviate significantly from the U.S.-led security framework. U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel congratulated Ishiba in a post on X, expressing his eagerness to work with him to “cultivate even closer” U.S.-Japan ties.

Known as a security hardliner, Ishiba enjoys building and painting models of aircraft and ships, which reportedly adorn his office.

The party’s leadership race, which began with nine candidates, culminated in a runoff between Ishiba and Sanae Takaichi, 63, who was vying to become Japan’s first female leader. Takaichi, one of two women in the race, is known for her conservative views and close alliance with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Her positions on women’s issues align with the LDP’s traditional stance, advocating for women to fulfill roles as mothers and wives. She opposes legislation that would allow women to retain their maiden names and the possibility of female emperors.