Defence geek Ishiba becomes Japan PM [Video]

Shigeru Ishiba became Japanese prime minister on Tuesday, seeking to restore the ruling party’s popularity and tackle a demographic crisis, a lacklustre economy and fears over China’s military build-up.

Ishiba, 67, says he intends to call a general election for October 27. He won a tight race on Friday to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost constantly for decades.

Japan’s parliament, where the LDP has a majority, approved Ishiba’s appointment Tuesday, followed by the announcement of his Cabinet, whose 19 ministers included two women.

Former chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato was named finance minister, while Gen Nakatani took defence and Takeshi Iwaya foreign affairs.

Ishiba, who has held at least three previous ministerial posts, is a self-confessed defence “geek” who tried and failed four times before to become LDP leader.

He finally succeeded this time because, while a divisive figure within the party, he is — …