Former Defense Minister Ishiba chosen to lead Japan’s ruling party. He’ll become PM next week

Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s ruling party on Friday picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as leader. He will become prime minister next week. The party leadership win is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s ruling coalition currently controls the parliament. A record nine candidates, including two women, ran in a vote decided by the party’s lawmakers and grassroots members.