TOKYO, Japan: Shigeru Ishiba, poised to become Japan’s next prime minister after winning his party’s leadership vote, is a seasoned lawmaker known for his expertise in security policy.
As a former defence minister, he advocates for strengthening Japan’s military, including expanding its capabilities to respond more assertively to territorial breaches. Ishiba has suggested creating an “Asian NATO,” a move that could raise tensions with China, though he remains cautious in his statements on the issue.
Ishiba’s popularity with the public contrasts with his previous struggles within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), where his outspoken criticism of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe alienated some party elites. However, his recent calls for reform, including addressing party funding scandals, have gained him support.
His focus extends beyond security, with a strong emphasis on disaster prevention and rural revitalization. Ishiba plans to establish a government agency dedicated to disaster preparedness, crucial in Japan’s earthquake-prone and typhoon-hit landscape. His vision for rural regions includes stimulating local economies to combat depopulation.
On the economic front, Ishiba promotes domestic investment in cutting-edge sectors like AI and semiconductors and supports using both nuclear power and renewables. He also advocates for gradually raising Japan’s defense budget to meet NATO standards by 2027 and proposes reforms to raise the birth rate by addressing long working hours and increasing parental support.
Ishiba believes his experiences, including failures in past reforms, uniquely qualify him to lead Japan forward without repeating past mistakes.
