TOKYO, Sept 28, (AP): Japan’s governing party on Friday picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week. The party leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s governing coalition controls parliament. Considered a defense policy expert, Ishiba secured a come-from-behind win against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who hoped to become the country’s first female prime minister.

The LDP, which has enjoyed nearly unbroken rule since World War II, may have seen Ishiba's more centrist views as crucial in pushing back challenges by the liberal-leaning opposition and winning voter support as the party reels from corruption scandals that drove down outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity. After his victory was announced, Ishiba stood up, waved and bowed repeatedly and pledged to "devote all my body and soul" to regain public trust.

"We must be a party that allows members to discuss the truth freely, a party that is fair and impartial and a party that is humble,” he told a news conference later Friday. He stressed Japan needs to reinforce its security, noting recent violations of Japanese airspace by Russian and Chinese warplanes and repeated missile launches by North Korea.

He pledged to continue Kishida's economic policy aimed at pulling Japan out of deflation and achieving real salary increases, while tackling challenges such as Japan's declining birthrate and population, as well as resilience in one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. "I will achieve a society in which women and young people can have hope, hard-working people feel rewarded, and anyone can excel,” Ishiba said. He is expected to call a general election within weeks to capitalize on his win, but it is unclear when. He only said that he would seek the public's mandate at an appropriate time after forming his new administration.