Fumio Kishida is all set to become the next prime minister as he won the race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He will succeed Yoshihide Suga, who decided to step down after just one year in office.
Suga decided to step down as prime minister due to plummeting poll ratings caused by the handling of the pandemic.
Kishida’s first mission as prime minister will be to lead the LDP to victory in the upcoming general election. The party’s popularity fell after it pushed to host the Tokyo Olympics despite public opposition.
A former foreign minister, Kishida defeated Taro Kono, who was widely regarded as the most popular candidate.
Given the LDP’s majority in parliament, Kishida’s position as prime minister has been all but cemented.
Kishida has long targeted the prime ministerial role, but he lost out to Suga in last year’s poll.
The new prime minister will face a range of issues including post-pandemic economic recovery and confronting threats from North Korea.
He has called for a “health crisis management agency” to be established in order to deal with the pandemic and backs the idea of passing a resolution condemning China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority.
“My skill is to really listen to people,” Kishida said after securing his win. “I am determined to make efforts with everyone for an open LDP and a bright future for Japan”.
