Japan's Parliament has elected Shigeru Ishiba, the new leader of the ruling liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as the country's prime minister. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stepped down earlier in the day to make way for the new leader.

Advocate of 'Asian Nato' to counter China who also seeks more balanced US ties could ruffle feathers on either side of Pacific, analysts say Shigeru Ishiba, in line to become Japan's next prime minister,

Japan's former defence minister, political veteran Shigeru Ishiba, has succeeded Fumio Kishida as the country's prime minister. As expected, the 67-year-old Ishiba was elected by a majority of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito in both houses of parliament on Tuesday.