Moderate faces challenges over cost-of-living crisis, public trust and threats to regional stability from China and North Korea

Shigeru Ishiba’s determination to lead Japan has never been in question, and now the veteran MP is poised to achieve that goal at the fifth time of asking after winning the race to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP) on Friday.

The 67-year-old will be installed as Japan’s new prime minister on Tuesday by the LDP-controlled parliament.