The 67-year-old began his election campaign at Shinto shrine in rural Tottori prefecture, from where he was elected to the House of Representatives at the start of his political career in 1986. Here’s a look at who the new PM of Japan is.

Political Career

Born to a political father in Tottori, Ishiba moved to Tokyo to study law at Keio University, after finishing school. He worked at the Mitsui Bank, only to join politics in 1983, and went on to became one of the youngest members to be elected to the House of Representatives from Tottori prefecture in 1986.

The former defense minister has held various other positions, including the minister in charge of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan and as senior state secretary for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

In 1993, Ishiba defected from the LDP to join the Japan Renewal Party, only to return to the LDP three years later in 1996.

Rivalries and friction from party members

Ishiba has been seen as a rebel by many in the LDP because of his critical stance on various policies of party leaders. He also contested against former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2012.

The newly elected premier of Japan is known to have been sidelined during Kishida’s government because of his differing and sometimes opposing views on the former PM’s policies, including the increased use of nuclear weapons and disallowing couples to use separate surnames.

Policies

Shigeru Ishiba is an advocate of an Asian version of NATO to control and deter China in the region, while also demanding for Japan’s more balanced and equal relationship with the United States.

He suggested a joint management of US bases in Japan and having Japanese Self Defense Force bases in the United States.