Japan’s Ruling Party Chooses Ishiba as New Leader and Prime Minister

Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister, has been chosen to replace Fumio Kishida, who announced in August plans to step down as LDP leader.

Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), looks on during a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 27, 2024. Kim Kyung/pool photo via AP

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has picked a former defense minister, Shigeru Ishiba, as its new leader and the next prime minister.

Ishiba, 67, will replace Fumio Kishida, who announced last month he would be stepping down as prime minister as a series of corruption scandals saw support for the LDP drop below 20 percent.