Japan's Next Prime Minister Ishiba Vows to "Protect Japan" from Security Threats by North Korea, China, and Russia

Ishiba Shigeru's First Press Conference as New President
"Will Materialize an Asian Version of NATO"

Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, poses in the president's office after winning the presidential election on the 27th.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, stated at a press conference held on the 27th that he will "properly establish the defense of Japan" in response to security threats from North Korea's missile launches as well as from China and Russia. The press conference took place after Ishiba was elected as Japan's next prime minister.

On that day, President Ishiba said, "I have been involved in security-related matters for a long time," and added, "During the presidential election period, there were incidents such as Russia's patrol aircraft intruding into Japanese airspace, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning's first navigation through Japan's contiguous zone, and North Korea's missile launches."

Having served as Japan's Defense Minister, he reiterated his proposal made during the presidential election campaign to establish an Asian version of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and to revise the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement. He stated, "We will concretize (the establishment of an Asian NATO) in close consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense," and added, "It is not the time to say by when this will be done."

Regarding the possible dissolution of the House of Representatives and an early general election, which are likely to be held soon, he said, "I want to engage in debates with the opposition parties and then seek judgment." However, he added, "We must receive the judgment of the people as soon as possible."

As an economic measure, he emphasized escaping deflation and stressed, "We will realize wage increases that exceed price rises."

Regarding the issue of candidate nominations for lawmakers involved in the Liberal Democratic Party faction slush fund scandal, he explained, "The election headquarters will discuss and make a decision, but as the person with the nomination rights, I also want to fulfill my responsibility to explain," and added, "The electoral districts and the likelihood of winning will be important factors in the decision."

He then evaluated the current president, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision not to run again as "a great determination to have the Liberal Democratic Party be reborn and to regain the trust of the people once again." Prime Minister Kishida gave up his bid for re-election taking responsibility for the faction slush fund scandal within the Liberal Democratic Party.

The press conference lasted about 30 minutes, and no questions related to South Korea were raised.

President Ishiba will be elected as the 102nd Prime Minister of Japan at the extraordinary Diet session to be held on the 1st of next month.