Japan’s New PM Vows to Bolster Economy, Counter Security Threats From China

Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 04, 2021. Toru Hanai/Pool/Getty Images

Japan’s parliament on Monday elected former foreign minister Fumio Kishida as the 100th prime minister of Japan after he won the majority of votes in both houses.

The 64-year-old politician replaces outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is stepping down after serving only one year. Kishida will become the new leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).