Fumio Kishida wins vote to become Japan PM

Tokyo, September 29

Former Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida won the governing party’s leadership election on Wednesday and is set to become the next Prime Minister, facing the tasks of reviving a pandemic-hit economy and ensuring a strong alliance with Washington to counter growing regional security risks.

Democracy in crisis

I felt our democracy is in a crisis. I am determined to make an effort towards making a more open LDP and creating a bright future for Japan. Fumio Kishida

Kishida replaces outgoing party leader PM Yoshihide Suga, who is stepping down after serving only one year. As new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Kishida is certain to be elected the next PM on Monday in Parliament, where his party and its coalition partner control both Houses. In his victory speech, Kishida vowed to tackle “national crises”, including Covid-19, the pandemic-battered economy and the declining population and birthrate. He said he would pursue “important issues related to Japan’s future”. — AP