Ex-Defense Minister Ishiba chosen to lead Japan’s ruling party and become prime minister

Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s governing party has picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week. The party’s leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s governing coalition controls parliament. Considered a defense policy expert, Ishiba secured a come-from-behind win against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who hoped to become the country’s first female prime minister. The LDP may have seen Ishiba’s more centrist views as crucial in pushing back challenges by the liberal-leaning opposition and winning voter support as the party reels from corruption scandals that drove down outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s popularity.