Shigeru Ishiba, former Defense Minister, was appointed as Japan’s new Prime Minister after winning the LDP leadership race.
Ishiba aims to tackle deflation and strengthen Japan’s defense policies, especially regarding North Korea, Russia, and China.
His leadership faces challenges, including declining public confidence in the LDP, and Japan’s long-term issues of economic stagnation and population decline.
In a surprising move, the former Japanese Prime Minister announced his resignation, just as Japan prepares for general elections. This unexpected development triggered an internal vote within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), leading to Shigeru Ishiba being appointed as the new Prime Minister of Japan.
Ishiba, a 67-year-old politician and former Defence Minister, won the leadership race with 215 votes, defeating his rival, Sanae Takaichi, a former Finance Minister, who posed a strong challenge in the contest.
Often regarded as a defense expert due to his tenure as Japan’s Defence Minister, Ishiba is known for his quiet yet firm stance on defense policies. However, between 1996 and 1998, he defected from the LDP before rejoining the party. Ishiba’s leadership aims to combat Japan’s ongoing deflation while prioritizing defense strategies in response to the challenges posed by North Korea, Russia, and China. Strengthening bilateral relations with the United States and other like-minded countries is also a key focus.
Despite this, Ishiba’s appointment has faced criticism. While he was effective as Defence Minister, some argue that his expertise may not translate to managing broader portfolios as Prime Minister. Critics express doubts about whether he can handle the range of responsibilities required for effective governance.
After becoming Prime Minister, Ishiba called for snap elections on October 27. This poses a challenge for the LDP, as public approval ratings, under Fumio Kishida’s leadership, have dropped below 30%, one of the lowest in LDP history. Kishida’s two-year term, along with short tenures by previous Prime Ministers, has led to concerns over unstable leadership.
Since Shinzo Abe’s resignation in 2020, Japan has experienced a lack of continuity in governance, contributing to institutional challenges and a loss of public trust in the LDP. Restoring confidence and providing stable leadership will be one of Ishiba’s greatest tasks.
Beyond geopolitical crises, Japan also faces a stagnating economy and population decline, contributing to long-term economic stagnation. To address these issues, Japan must implement structural reforms and promote social policies that encourage population growth. Convincing citizens that having children is essential to Japan’s future is key to reversing economic trends in the long term.
Shigeru Ishiba’s ability to promote and implement such policies will play a critical role in Japan’s economic recovery.
Reference
(Aayush is a post-graduate student in International Relations at Kalinga University, Raipur. The opinions expressed are the author’s own)
Balaji Subramanian 
Palak Dogra