Ex-Defense Minister Ishiba chosen to lead Japan’s ruling party, setting him up to be prime minister

Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s governing party has picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week. The party’s leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s governing coalition controls parliament. A record nine candidates, including two women, ran in the vote, decided by the party’s lawmakers and grassroots members. Ishiba pledged to make Japan a safe and secure country. He will be formally endorsed in parliament and form his Cabinet on Tuesday.