LDP Victory Assures Fumio Kishida Of Becoming Japan's PM

Former foreign minister Fumio Kishida won on Wednesday a race to lead Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), virtually ensuring that he will succeed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the post within days, Antoni Slodkowski, Leika Kihara, and Ju-min Park reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Fumio Kishida, Japan's next Prime Minister

Kishida enjoys only moderate public support and has a bland image and his victory could spell problems for the LDP in a general election due within weeks. Kishida defeated former defense and foreign minister Taro Kono, seen as an outspoken maverick, in a second-round run-off vote.

Two female contenders, Sanae Takaichi, 60, and Seiko Noda, 61, dropped out after the first round.

The winner of the party poll to succeed unpopular Prime Minister Suga, who is not seeking re-election after just one year in office, is almost certain to become premier because of its majority in parliament's lower house.

Kishida must call an election by Nov. 28 and faces the task of rebuilding an economy staggering from the COVID-19 pandemic, but his consensus style will help him consolidate power within the factious ruling party.

Kishida's victory is unlikely to trigger a huge shift in policies as Japan seeks to cope with an assertive China and revive an economy hit by the pandemic, with the soft-spoken MP highlighting the need to focus on reducing income disparity.

He shares a broad consensus on the need to boost Japan's defenses and strengthen security ties with the United States and other partners including the QUAD grouping of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India while preserving vital economic ties with China and holding regular summit meetings.

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