The 67-year-old Ishiba, known for his expertise in defense matters, secured a majority in both houses of parliament, paving the way for the formation of his cabinet. The snap election call, however, has drawn criticism from opposition parties who deem it "disrespectful" to the legislature.
"I will promote political reforms immediately, so we can be trusted by the people," Ishiba said at his inaugural press conference, defending the upcoming election as necessary to seek a public mandate.
Ishiba's cabinet includes close allies in key positions, with Takeshi Iwaya as foreign minister and Gen Nakatani as defense minister, signaling a focus on national security. The new administration faces the task of rebuilding public trust following political scandals that plagued the previous government.
The prime minister's economic policies are expected to align closely with his predecessor's, emphasizing wage growth and maintaining accommodative monetary conditions. However, Ishiba has also expressed interest in reviewing Japan's security agreement with the United States and promoting a collective security arrangement in Asia, indicating potential shifts in foreign policy.
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