Shigeru Ishiba: Japan’s New Prime Minister Set to Unite Divided Ruling Party

Shigeru Ishiba is poised to be voted in as Japan's new prime minister by parliament, following his win in the leadership race of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Ishiba, who has a history of leadership bids, will announce his cabinet and prepare for the upcoming general election.

Shigeru Ishiba is set to be voted in by parliament as Japan's next prime minister on Monday, marking a significant shift in leadership. Ishiba aims to heal party divisions and prep for an election slated for October 27. As a former defense minister, Ishiba clinched a narrow victory in the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership contest last week and is expected to be officially designated as premier on Tuesday, thanks to his party's parliamentary majority.

The parliamentary vote is expected around 1:40 p.m. (0440 GMT), followed by a formal appointment ceremony at Tokyo's Imperial Palace, where Emperor Naruhito will officially appoint Ishiba and his cabinet. Ishiba plans to hold a press conference later on Monday to outline his agenda. Despite being viewed as an outsider in his party—having failed at four prior leadership bids—Ishiba has already started to solidify his team, selecting government and party officials for the forthcoming general election campaign.

Key appointments include Katsunobu Kato as finance minister and Yoshimasa Hayashi as chief cabinet secretary. Takeshi Iwaya, a close ally of Ishiba and former defense chief, will assume the role of foreign minister, while Gen Nakatani will return to the defense ministry. Yoji Muto, a former junior minister, is set to lead the economy, trade, and industry ministry. Notably absent from his cabinet picks is Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative who was his closest rival in the leadership race. Takaichi's omission could pose challenges for Ishiba in managing a scandal-prone, divided ruling party.

(With inputs from agencies.)