Japan's new PM, Shigeru Ishiba, forms cabinet with emphasis on defence

NEWS WIRES

1 October 2024 at 8:42 am·1-min read

Japan's newly elected Prime Minister took office on Tuesday and formed a cabinet made up of numerous security and defence experts in line with his calls to strengthen regional military alliances. The majority of cabinet members are relative unknowns, marking a break from a string of corruption scandals that have hit the governing party.

Japan's parliament elected Shigeru Ishiba as the new prime minister on Tuesday, tasked with addressing public outrage over his governing party's corruption scandals ahead of a parliamentary election later this month, while trying to boost the economy and tackle security challenges from China and North Korea.

Ishiba replaces Fumio Kishida, who stepped down earlier Tuesday to pave the way for a fresh leader after Kishida's government was dogged by scandals.

Ishiba entered the Prime Minister's Office and formed his Cabinet, which includes several security and defense experts, as he has called for a stronger regional military alliance and a more equal Japan-U.S. security partnership.

Ishiba will hold a news conference later Tuesday to announce his Cabinet and some of his policy priorities.

Ishiba said he plans to call a parliamentary election for Oct. 27 so his new administration can have “the people's judgement” as soon as possible.

(AP)

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