Ishiba to take office as new Japan PM as parliament gives nod

Shigeru Ishiba, newly elected President of Japan

© APA | Shigeru Ishiba, newly elected President of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Prime Minister

# 01 October 2024 12:10 (UTC +04:00)

Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was elected Japan's new prime minister by parliament on Tuesday to replace Fumio Kishida, at a time of low public confidence in politics, a shaky economy and mounting security threats, APA reports citing Kyodo News.

His endorsement by both chambers of parliament sets the stage for a general election on Oct. 27, despite growing criticism from the opposition bloc about the timing of the poll, which delayed Tuesday's parliamentary vote at the last minute.

Ishiba's decision to call a snap election met resistance from opposition parties, which described his making of the announcement Monday even before his election as premier as "disrespectful" and "unconstitutional."

On the opening day of an extraordinary Diet session, Ishiba secured 291 of the 461 votes cast in the House of Representatives and 143 out of the 242 cast in the House of Councillors. He is expected to dissolve the powerful lower house when the session ends on Oct. 9.

Ishiba gave the key posts of foreign and defense minister to two of his supporters who share similar views on Japan's global role and responsibilities. Some of those who ran against Ishiba in the LDP's race also received Cabinet positions.

In the new Cabinet, former defense chief Takeshi Iwaya became foreign minister, while Gen Nakatani once again took the post of defense minister. Both lawmakers had played crucial roles in electing Ishiba as LDP chief.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, the top government spokesman under Kishida and one of the nine contenders in the LDP race, retained the post of chief Cabinet secretary.

Another candidate, former health minister Katsunobu Kato, will serve as finance minister.

Ishiba is expected to deliver his policy speech on Friday. After the lower house is dissolved, official campaigning for the general election is expected to kick off on Oct. 15.

The current terms of lower house members end in October 2025. The previous election was held in October 2021, shortly after Kishida became prime minister.

Kishida's Cabinet resigned en masse shortly before Ishiba was voted in as premier.

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