TokyocTypeface:> Japan’s former defence minister, political veteran Shigeru Ishiba, has succeeded Fumio Kishida as the country’s prime minister. As expected, the 67-year-old Ishiba was elected by a majority of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito in both houses of parliament on Tuesday. Ishiba appointed another former defence minister, Takeshi Iwaya, as his foreign minister, and appointed Gen Nakatani to the post of defence minister, a post he has held before. Both Iwaya and Nakatani played a major role in Ishiba’s becoming the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), at the fifth attempt. The LDP has ruled Japan almost continuously for decades. Ishiba has vowed to renew the scandal-ridden party. Japan holds general elections on October 27, when the LDP will face a fragmented and weak opposition, which has criticized the early election date. Ishiba faces major economic and foreign policy challenges.These include China’s growing power in the region and the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programme. (dpa)
