Shigeru Ishiba Officially Elected as Japan's Prime Minister

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's president, Shigeru Ishiba has finally won a vote in parliament that propelled him to the position of the country's prime minister, taking over from Fumio Kishida.

The lower and upper houses of the Japanese parliament approved Ishiba who won the LDP presidency last week. His confirmation has paved the way for a general election on October 27, despite opposition criticism over the timing of the polls, which caused a last minute delay in Tuesday's parliamentary vote.

The leadership will not come easy for him as Ishiba will have to toil very hard to regain voter confidence in the scandal-hit LDP, says local media.

In a rebirth, Ishiba won the election for his fifth bid at LDP leadership; he has outsmarted Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, with whom he had a neck-and-neck runoff last week. Ishiba won 215 votes while Takaichi came a far cry behind with 194.

Earlier on Monday, Ishiba announced that the house of representatives will be dissolved on October 9 and a general election will take place on October 27.

Opposition parties also attacked him saying it was "disrespectful" and "unconstitutional" for him to announce even before his election as the prime minister.

After he won the LDP leadership race, Ishiba vowed to rebuild trust and trustworthiness in the party as he talks about humility and fairness and following the rules.

Indeed, his speech after the vote count was anchored on the promise for a safer and more stable Japan. "I will devote myself to making Japan a safer country," he declared, declaring national security as he sees it would head his administration.

Speaking at a press conference following his election success, Ishiba said that the "number-one need is to gain public trust and accountability from the government."
Earlier in the day, Kishida said he had decided on an en masse resignation of his Cabinet.

"Japan is experiencing, for the first time in its history, a crossroads both at home and abroad," he said in a statement. "I hope that with the new cabinet, so essential policies that would open up Japan's future with fresh vigor will be vigorously pushed forward. I ask for your continued support for the next cabinet and the new prime minister," he added.