Shigeru Ishiba, a veteran politician with extensive policy experience, has been selected to lead Japan's governing party and is set to become the next prime minister. Known for his love of curry and anime, Ishiba faces significant challenges as he aims to unite a divided party and fend off an opposition seeking to capitalize on recent corruption scandals.
Despite his popularity with voters, Ishiba has often faced resistance from conservative members of the Liberal Democratic Party. As a vocal critic of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's hawkish politics, he was previously viewed as an outsider within the party. However, his victory in Friday's leadership race marks a significant comeback and potentially signals a departure from Abe's longstanding influence.
Analysts suggest that Ishiba's selection may be attributed to his centrist image, which could help counter challenges posed by the more liberal main opposition party. The 67-year-old former banker, who has held key Cabinet positions including defense and agriculture minister, is seen as a stabilizing force within the party.
With a focus on defense policy, Ishiba has proposed an Asian equivalent of the NATO military alliance and advocated for a more balanced Japan-U.S. security partnership. He also supports Taiwan's democracy and has called for the establishment of a disaster management agency in Japan, a country prone to natural disasters.
Furthermore, Ishiba has pledged to promote diversity and gender equality, advocating for changes to a civil code that currently requires married couples to adopt a single surname. He has also expressed support for legalizing same-sex marriage and highlighted the need for greater male involvement in child-rearing and household responsibilities.
Described as a policy 'otaku' with a passion for security and defense issues, Ishiba enjoys anime, building model warships, and listening to Japanese pop songs from the 1970s and '80s. His favorite food is curried rice.
