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Fumio Kishida

Fumio Kishida was elected as Japan’s 100th Prime Minister on October 4 after winning a majority of votes in both houses of parliament. He succeeded Yoshihide Suga who resigned after just one year in office due to declining support ratings over his handling of the pandemic.

Born

29 Jul 1957

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Prime Minister of Japan

last updated:

7 October, 2024

Donald Trump

Editorial | Trump a good reason for China, Japan thaw

Crisis of trust between two countries with fragile economies has to be overcome for both their sakes.

11 Dec 2024 - 11:50PM

China-Japan relations

Wang Yi’s talks with Japanese official suggest a Xi-Ishiba meeting lies ahead

5 Nov 2024 - 12:11AMvideocam

Fumio Kishida

Editorial | Trump a good reason for China, Japan thaw

Crisis of trust between two countries with fragile economies has to be overcome for both their sakes.

Wang Yi’s talks with Japanese official suggest a Xi-Ishiba meeting lies ahead

Macroscope | Japan’s election results could have global ramifications

Japan’s ruling coalition loses majority, election outcome in balance

The LDP, which has ruled Japan for almost all of its post-war history, and junior coalition partner Komeito won just 215 seats.

Japan’s ruling party projected to miss majority in election, in blow for new PM

NHK poll shows the LDP and Komeito are set to win between 174 and 254 of the 465 seats in the lower house of Japan’s parliament.

Will Japan PM Ishiba’s call for snap election backfire on him, LDP?

Analysts say waning support due to LDP growing distant from the public, with several opinion polls predicting it will struggle to win seats.

Japan’s Ishiba seeks renewed mandate as election race tightens

Shocking opinion polls suggest the ruling LDP, in power for most of the past seventy years, might fall short of a parliamentary majority.

Japan PM Ishiba’s defence reforms face election hurdle with expected LDP losses

Polls suggest the LDP will lose a number of seats in Sunday’s elections, with voters focused more on domestic issues than foreign policy.

Wary of China, US ranks Japan ‘first’ among Aukus partners: envoy

‘Very close’ talks under way as Washington seeks Tokyo’s cyber-related and other technological support amid deeper Indo-Pacific engagement.

China’s Li Qiang and Japanese PM Ishiba pledge stable ties in first meeting

Japan’s new ‘military geek’ prime minister is looking to strengthen his country’s defences and roll out security innovations.

My Take | Japan’s Ishiba to focus on security ties with South Korea to counter Pyongyang

Shigeru Ishiba’s ‘progressive’ views on thorny historical issues have raised hopes that ties between Japan and South Korea could improve.

Japan’s new PM calls snap election to ‘create a new Japan’

Shigeru Ishiba’s LDP and its junior coalition partner are almost certain to be re-elected on October 27.

Japan has a problem with ‘lone-wolf’ attacks. Can a new police unit stop them?

Experts warn that the isolated nature of such attackers makes them difficult to prevent, raising questions about the unit’s effectiveness.

Knives out for Japan PM Ishiba even before taking office as chaos awaits

The ruling LDP ‘using’ him to retain power in a snap election expected by the end of the year, observers say.

Japan’s ruling party picks Shigeru Ishiba as PM Fumio Kishida’s successor

The former defence minister pledged to make the country ‘a safe and secure place where everyone can live with a smile on their face once again’.

Activists urge Japan’s next leader to reinstate human rights adviser post

A government adviser can help renew focus on human rights policies and address long-standing issues including prison reform, activists say.

Japan sends official to China ‘to deal with’ boy’s fatal stabbing in Shenzhen

Fumio Kishida has demanded an explanation for the attack at Shenzhen Japanese School and urged China to ensure Japanese citizens’ safety.

Eyeing China, Quad leaders expand joint Indo-Pacific maritime operations

Summit of leaders from the US, Australia, India and Japan being watched for how the four respond to the more militarily assertive Beijing.

India avoids confirming Trump’s claim that PM Modi plans to meet with him

Republican presidential nominee said at Tuesday rally that Narendra Modi would visit him while in US for a session of Quad security group.

Japan PM hopefuls agree on Kishida’s economic push but differ on how to do it

The top 9 contenders for leadership of Japan’s LDP make their case for why they should be the ones to succeed Kishida.

Biden to host Quad leaders in hometown farewell

Biden has strongly pushed the four-way Quad grouping as part of an emphasis on international alliances to rein in adversaries.

‘Extremely concerned’: Japan’s plan to reuse Fukushima soil sparks unease

The IAEA claims the soil meets safety standards, but critics argue spreading the contamination is dangerous and could lead to increased cancer risks.

NHK under fire after ‘broadcast hijacking’ by Chinese reporter over Diaoyu Islands

A Chinese journalist working for NHK sparked controversy by claiming disputed islands in the East China Sea belong to China during a broadcast.

Japan PM hopeful risks sinking campaign with nuclear sub plan to counter China

Taro Kono says it is needed for national security, but his proposal was met with opposition due to Japan’s historical aversion to nuclear weapons.

Japan’s Kishida, South Korea’s Yoon urge sustaining momentum in improved ties

Kishida, who steps down this month, made his final, whirlwind trip to his neighbour as the two leaders affirm their new-found partnership.

Macroscope | Could Japan’s ruling party election revamp relations with China?

The election of an unorthodox figure to lead the Liberal Democratic Party could allow for much-needed balance between diplomacy and deterrence.

Powder keg: global warming threatens Hokkaido snow, affecting tourism, daily life

A study predicts that rising temperatures could transform the region’s light, fluffy snow into heavier, wetter flakes similar to those found in Honshu

Seoul’s ‘submissive’ Tokyo ties blasted as Kishida seeks Yoon talks before exit

South Korea’s opposition accuses President Yoon Suk-yeol of being pro-Tokyo and eager to erase Korea’s history under Japanese rule.