Shigeru Ishiba is set to become the next Prime Minister of Japan after winning the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which has ruled the country for the past seven decades. A special session of Parliament will officially vote him into power.
Ishiba, by all accounts, is a defence expert. Naturally, the former defence minister’s campaign focussed heavily on security issues. Ishiba has said that he will push for greater oversight over US military bases in Japan, as well as a stronger say in US military policy vis-à-vis Japan and East Asia. He has called for the creation of what experts call an “Asian NATO” READ MORE HERE
This makes Ishiba likely to continue with Japan’s trajectory towards becoming a more assertive player in the international stage, allied to but less reliant on Washington. Some experts say that his positions might complicate Japan’s relations with its closest ally. However, as Japan faces a number of regional threats, from an increasingly assertive China and its deepening defence ties with Russia, to North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities, Ishiba cannot afford to alienate Washington.
Discover more from KossyDerrickent
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.