Former Defense Minister of Japan Siger Isaba has become the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after two tours of voting recently. According to KYODO news agency, in the final round, Ishib won 215 votes, ahead of the Minister of Economic Security Sanae, who gained 194 votes. This means that Ishba, who has considerable political experience, will now become a new Prime Minister of Japan, which is planned for the next week.
The political path of Siger Ishiba
Siger Isaba, a politician with rich experience, was born in 1957 into a political family. He began his career in politics in 1986, when he was elected to the House of Representatives. Ishba has held several important positions, including the Minister of Defense (2007-2008) and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2008-2009). He was also the Secretary General of LDP from 2012 to 2014. His father, Jiro Ishiba, held the post of governor of Prefecture Tottor and Minister of Internal Affairs.
Siger Ishiba is known as Gunji Otak (military fan) and has great interest in military affairs, including weapons and defense issues. He expressed the need to create a Japanese analogue of the US Marine Corps to protect numerous Japan islands. In addition, Ishiba supports the ideas of legalization of same -sex marriages and giving marital couples the opportunity to have separate names.
LDP situation and public trust
The election of the new LDP leader took place against the background of a financial fraud scandal within a party, which has jeopardized trust in LDP. The exit of Prime Minister Fumio Kishid from the political arena in August 2024, when he decided not to nominate for the second term, emphasized the need to renew the party and restore trust by society.
In total, nine candidates took part in the elections, including two women. Selection of a lord for the post of LDP leader can signal a new course in Japanese policy, focusing on national security and social reforms.
