LDP Leader Formally Elected Japan's Prime Minister

Tokyo, 1 Oct (ONA) —-- Japan's ruling party leader Shigeru Ishiba was elected prime minister in the parliament today, succeeding Fumio Kishida to take charge of the country at a time of low public confidence in politics and shaky economy.

Ishiba, who was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last week, was endorsed by both the lower and upper house. The confirmation sets the stage for a general election on 27 October 2024, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.

Long seen as a maverick, the 67-year-old Ishiba is likely to face a challenging start to his premiership as he seeks to restore voter trust and mend intraparty divisions that have deepened since the LDP leadership election.

Ishiba's decision to call a snap election met resistance from opposition parties, which described his making of the announcement as "unconstitutional." The extraordinary Diet session will run through 9 October 2024, the day when Ishiba is expected to dissolve the lower house.

—- Ends/Khalid