After five tries, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba will finally lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party — and Japan.
The veteran Ishiba, who has also served as party secretary-general, won the LDP presidential election on Friday, defeating economic security minister Sanae Takaichi in a runoff vote. He is set to be named prime minister next week after a parliamentary vote.
Ishiba won the runoff with 215 votes against Takaichi, who garnered 194 votes.
