TOKYO – Fumio Kishida, leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected on Monday (Oct. 4) as the country’s new prime minister to succeed Yoshihide Suga.
As the ruling coalition led by the LDP controls both chambers, 64-year-old Kishida secured a majority of votes of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
After naming his new Cabinet in the afternoon, Kishida will be formally inaugurated in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace and hold a press conference in the evening.
Kishida’s first major test as prime minister will be the general election. He is planning to hold the election on Oct. 31, while campaigning for members of the House of Representatives is set to begin on Oct. 19. (Xinhua) – bny
