ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Japan’s leadership race

Japan ex-defense chief Ishiba says to run for ruling party president

67-year-old among popular figures in polling on who should be nation's next PM

Former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba says he will run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race. He announced the decision in his hometown of Yazu in Tottori prefecture on Aug. 24. (Photo by Rie Ishii)

TOTTORI, Japan (Kyodo) -- Former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday he will run in the ruling party's presidential race in September, in what will be his fifth and "last" attempt to take the helm of the Liberal Democratic Party and the country.

Ishiba, 67, known as a policy expert on security, agriculture and regional revitalization, has lost to Shinzo Abe and Yoshihide Suga in recent party elections, though he did not run in 2021 when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was elected LDP chief.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more