Japan's Ruling Party Selects Shigeru Ishiba as Next Prime Minister

Shigeru Ishiba has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan, succeeding Fumio Kishida. Ishiba, a 67-year-old former defense minister, won the leadership contest with 215 votes, defeating his right-wing rival Sanae Takaichi, who garnered 194 votes. Ishiba's victory makes him the likely next prime minister of Japan, as the LDP leader typically assumes the position. The election was triggered by Kishida's decision not to seek re-election as LDP president. Ishiba has promised to "bring back a vibrant Japan" and "believe in the people," and will assume command of the world's fourth-largest economy once parliament convenes in October.