After Japan’s Suga stepped down as prime minister, Fumio Kishida came forward and has won the race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Hence, putting him on course to become the next prime minister of Japan.
Mr Kishida’s first mission as a Prime Minister will be to lead the LDP to victory in an upcoming general election.
Ever since the country pushed to host the Tokyo Olympics despite public opposition, the LDP’s popularity fell.
Before becoming the prime minister, Mr Kishida was a foreign minister. He defeated Taro Kono, who was generally viewed as the most popular candidate.
Being Japan’s leading party, the LDP has a majority in the parliament. Because of this Mr Kishida’s position as prime minister has been all but cemented.
Mr Kishida, 64, had wanted to become prime minister for a long time and also lost out to Mr Suga in the poll, last year.
However, he faces a range of tough issues including post-pandemic economic recovery and confronting threats from North Korea.
He has called for a “health crisis management agency” to be established to deal with the pandemic and backs the idea of passing a resolution reproving China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority.
“My skill is to really listen to people,” Mr Kishida said after locking his win. “I’m determined to make efforts with everyone for an open LDP and a bright future for Japan”.
The former prime minister Mr Suga decided to step down from his duties after a year in office due to dropping poll ratings caused by the handling of the pandemic.
Who is Fumio Kishida?
- Mr Kishida is from a political family. Apart from that, both his father and grandfather were members of the House of Representatives of Japan.
- He also became the longest-serving foreign minister between 2012 and 2017.
- Being a Hiroshima native, he opposes the use of nuclear weapons.
- Moreover, he arranged President Barack Obama’s 2016 visit to Hiroshima, the first visit to the bombed city by a sitting US president
