TOKYO: Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected former foreign minister Fumio Kishida its new leader on Wednesday (Sep 29), setting him on course to become the next prime minister of the world's third-largest economy.
The soft-spoken centrist defeated popular vaccine chief Taro Kono in an unusually close race to succeed Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who decided to step down after just a year in office.
Kishida defeated Kono, a former defence and foreign minister, in a second-round run-off vote. Two female contenders, Sanae Takaichi, 60, and Seiko Noda, 61, dropped out after the first round.
The winner of the party poll is almost certain to become prime minister because of its majority in parliament's lower house.
With masks on, the LDP's parliamentary members, including Suga and former prime minister Shinzo Abe, gathered in the ballroom of a Tokyo hotel to cast their votes from 1pm (12pm, Singapore time). Their ballot box was closed about 30 minutes after they voted in lines.
Last year, LDP factions rallied around Suga after Abe quit following his nearly eight-year tenure, citing ill health. But Suga's ratings tanked over his handling of the pandemic, prompting him to announce his departure ahead of a general election that must be held by Nov 28.
While Kono had the highest numbers in public polls, Kishida has a bland image but a stronger support base from party members in parliament.
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2021-09-29 06:45:42Z
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