Who is Shigeru Ishiba, Ex-Defence Minister Becomes 102nd Prime Minister of Japan?

Tokyo: Shigeru Ishiba, a banker turned politician on Tuesday was elected as Japan's new Prime Minister, succeeding Fumio Kishihda. Ishiba becomes Japan's 102 Prime Minister.

Ishiba was chosen as the party's leader on Friday after a close fight between nine candidates, including two women.

Who is Shigeru Ishiba?

Ishiba is a 67-year-old former banker, who stood in the race for the fifth time and asserted that would be his "final battle." Despite his longstanding popularity among voters, the idealist struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers.

In the past, he was first elected to parliament in 1986, he has served as defence minister, agriculture minister and other key Cabinet and party posts. His experience, stability and expertise are increasingly considered a strength for the party as it prepares to face the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan's new leader, former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, a veteran known for gripping speeches.

If elected, Ishiba pledges to push for more diversity and gender equality. He showed support for a revision to a 19th-century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surnames. Moves to change the code have stalled for decades due to the LDP's sole opposition. He also supports legalising same-sex marriage.

If elected, Ishiba pledges to push for more diversity and gender equality. He showed support for a revision to a 19th-century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surnames. Moves to change the code have stalled for decades due to the LDP's sole opposition. He also supports legalising same-sex marriage.

(With inputs from AP)