Japan’s New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Photo

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leveraged its majority to confirm Ishiba’s appointment on Tuesday, October 1st. The 67-year-old succeeds outgoing leader Fumio Kishida, according to Al Jazeera on October 1st.

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After the vote, Ishiba unveiled his cabinet, consisting of 19 ministers. In addition to taking the reins of government, the new prime minister must swiftly gear up for snap elections set for October 27, which he announced on Monday, October 1st.

Ishiba’s appointment follows his narrow victory on Friday in the race to lead the LDP, a party that has dominated Japanese politics for most of the past 80 years.

The former defense minister narrowly defeated hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi by 215 votes to 194 in the closest leadership race in nearly seven decades.

Ishiba, who has previously served in at least three ministerial roles, had unsuccessfully attempted to become LDP leader four times before.