Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba began his first political speech by expressing deep regret over the ruling party bribery scandal that haunted his predecessor.
Ishiba replaced Fumio Kishida on Tuesday, starting by calming public outrage over financial irregularities in the Liberal Democratic Party and rebuilding support ahead of parliamentary elections on 27 October.
I will achieve politics that is not for politicians but for the people.
Ishiba stated that he would reinforce Japan’s military capabilities to defend against external threats as part of the Japan-US security alliance. He pointed to violations of Japanese airspace last month by Chinese warplanes and North Korea’s missile test as examples of the deteriorating security environment.
The prime minister also called the Japan-US security alliance a cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy and security, as well as the foundation for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
However, Ishiba’s initial public support ratings as prime minister were around 50 per cent or even lower, the weakest for a new leader, according to Japanese media. Opposition leaders also criticised him for rushing the election.
Although Ishiba had previously supported phasing out nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster, he pledged to maximise the use of nuclear power and promote geothermal and other renewable sources.
