Who is Shigeru Ishiba, the new prime minister of Japan

Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba is the new Japan PM

Former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to become the new prime minister of Japan, replacing incumbent Fumio Kishida.

Japan’s ruling party, LDP, picked Ishiba as its leader, confirming his elevation to the top post.

The party leadership win is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s ruling coalition currently controls the parliament.

Ishiba takes over with the party in crisis, having seen its public support ebb away over the past two years with revelations of links to a church branded a cult by critics and a scandal over unrecorded donations.

LDP has ruled Japan for almost all of the post-war era. Its leader is essentially assured of becoming Japan's premier.

Who is Shigeru Ishiba?

* Ishiba, 67, has been a long-time aspirant for the PM's post and has previously worked as a banker.

* Over the years, he has worked on security issues and the revival of Japan's rural communities in his 38-year political career.

* 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

* He has also 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.

* Ishiba was appointed the defence minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. He served from September 2007 till August 2008.

* He is also a fiscal conservative who has promised to respect the independence of the Bank of Japan to set monetary policy. More recently, he said it is unclear whether conditions were right for a fresh hike in interest rates.

"The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is on the right policy track to gradually align with a world with positive interest rates," he told Reuters in an interview earlier.

* In 2012, Ishiba stood for the presidency of the LDP. He was narrowly defeated by the late Shinzo Abe.

* Again, in 2020, following Shinzo Abe's resignation, Ishiba ran for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party, losing to Yoshihide Suga, placing third overall.

* He has rebelled on policies including the increased use of nuclear energy and has criticised his party for not allowing married couples to use separate surnames.

* Ishiba has, however, softened some policy positions that have put him at odds with party colleagues, most notably saying he would keep some reactors operating in Japan, despite his past opposition to nuclear power and support for renewable energy sources.

* He is affiliated with the ultranationalist and far-right organization, Nippon Kaigi.

(With inputs from agencies)