Who is Shigeru Ishiba? Ex-Abe rival becomes Japan's new prime minister

Veteran lawmaker endeavors to shore up regional security and revive small towns

Shigeru Ishiba explains his policies ahead of the LDP presidential election on Sept. 10 in Tokyo. He was initially encouraged to enter politics by former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)

YUICHI SHIGA, Nikkei staff writer

September 27, 2024 15:24 JST

Updated on October 1, 2024 15:57 JST

TOKYO -- After winning the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election last week, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba became Japan's new prime minister on Tuesday, succeeding Fumio Kishida.

A long-time aspirant for the top post, the 67-year-old banker-turned-politician has mainly worked on security issues and the revival of Japan's rural communities in his 38-year political career.