Shigeru Ishiba becoming Japan’s next PM 

Shigeru Ishiba has won the leadership election of Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and is set to become the country’s next prime minister.

The former defence minister, 67, prevailed on Friday in a tight contest, defeating Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, 63, in a run-off after none of the nine candidates won a majority in the first round of voting earlier in the day.

The final count was 215-194.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his decision to resign in August amid a series of corruption scandals within the LDP, the largest party in parliament.

The party’s majority in the legislature means the winner of the leadership race is certain to be formally elected as the 65th prime minister by parliament on October 1.

Ishiba is popular with the public but has failed four times to secure the LDP’s top job.