Ishiba, stubborn ex-defense chief, elected Japan’s new prime minister

Spotlight Japan

- Sep 29, 2024 - 17:07 All,Spotlight

New Liberal Democratic Party leader Shigeru Ishiba poses for photos in the chair of the party president at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Sept. 27, 2024. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba, as director general of the now-defunct Defense Agency, puts a question to an officer during a short inspection tour of a People's Liberation Army unit in Beijing in September 2003. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba holds a news conference in a parliamentary building in Tokyo in December 1993 after leaving the Liberal Democratic Party. (Kyodo)

A bronze statue of Godzilla in Tokyo's Hibiya district in December 1995. (Kyodo)

The popular girl group Candies hold a farewell stage performance at a baseball stadium in Tokyo in April 1978. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba serves curry at a food stand set up at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo in March 2013. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba makes an appearance inside a chartered train during a train-themed singles party held between Shinagawa and Kamakura stations on JR East's Yokosuka Line in December 2014. He was then state minister in charge of regional revitalization. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba enjoys a bowl of ramen in Tokyo's Sendagaya area in May 2024 with fellow members of a parliamentarian league set up within the Liberal Democratic Party to promote ramen culture. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba eats a slice of peach during an event in Tokyo in August 2013 aimed at promoting the safety of farm products from Fukushima Prefecture, following the 2011 nuclear disaster triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami. Ishiba was then secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba (2nd from R), Shinzo Abe (far R) and three other contenders in the 2012 Liberal Democratic Party leadership race place their hands on top of each other ahead of a joint news conference at the party headquarters in September 2012. (Kyodo)

Shigeru Ishiba reacts to applause from fellow members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 7, 2024, after winning the leadership contest. (Kyodo)

TOKYO - Ex-Defense Minister and veteran lawmaker Shigeru Ishiba, widely seen as a lone wolf with a stubborn streak, won the presidency of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party in his fifth bid for the party leadership, becoming the prime minister.The 67-year-old is known for his expertise on defense and security affairs, though also for what some consider his geeky enthusiasm in his personal interests and hobbies, and was one of the public's favorites to be prime minister in media polls.In the LDP, however, some have expressed concerns over his lack of enthusiasm for making allies in the …READ FULL ARTICLE

Ishiba, stubborn ex-defense chief, elected Japan’s new prime minister

Popular

FEATURE: Receipts reveal hidden lives in Japanese artist's unusual works

FEATURE: Kurobe canyon route tours trade comfort for rare look at underground works

Sightseeing bus serving conveyor-belt sushi to launch in Tokyo

FEATURE: Maids at Tokyo cafe ramp up efforts to attract foreign visitors

Gov’t data reveals Japan’s most crowded rush-hour trains

Latest Video

More from Spotlight

FEATURE: Receipts reveal hidden lives in Japanese artist's unusual works

Sightseeing bus serving conveyor-belt sushi to launch in Tokyo

FEATURE: Kurobe canyon route tours trade comfort for rare look at underground works

FEATURE: Maids at Tokyo cafe ramp up efforts to attract foreign visitors

Nearly half of households in Japan unprepared for disaster: survey

FEATURE: American kanji pioneer finds fulfilment beyond Japan's toughest exam

Nara seeks to shed day-trip image as overnight stays increase

JR East event to turn shinkansen bullet train into overnight relaxation space