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Shigeru Ishiba facts for kids

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The native form of this personal name is Ishiba Shigeru. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
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His Excellency
Shigeru Ishiba
石破 茂
Ishiba Shigeru 20241001 (cropped).jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Prime Minister of Japan
Assumed office
1 October 2024
Monarch Naruhito
Preceded by Fumio Kishida
President of the Liberal Democratic Party
Assumed office
27 September 2024
Vice President Yoshihide Suga
Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama
Preceded by Fumio Kishida
Member of the House of Representatives
Assumed office
8 July 1986
Preceded by Multi-member district
Constituency
  • Tottori at-large (1986–1996)
  • Tottori 1st (1996–present)
Majority 85,456 (68.2%)
Personal details
Born (1957-02-04) 4 February 1957 (age 68)
Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
Political party Liberal Democratic (1986–1993; 1997–present)
Other political
affiliations		 Renewal (1993–1994)
New Frontier (1994–1996)
Independent (1996–1997)
Spouse
Yoshiko Nakamura
​
(m. 1983)​
Children 2
Parent
  • Jirō Ishiba (father)
Education Keio Senior High School
Alma mater Keio University (LLB)
Signature
Japanese name
Kanji 石破 茂
Revised Hepburn Ishiba Shigeru

Shigeru Ishiba (born February 4, 1957) is a Japanese politician who became the Prime Minister of Japan and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in October 2024. He has been a member of Japan's House of Representatives since 1986. Before becoming Prime Minister, he held important roles like Minister of Defense (2007–2008), Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2008–2009), and Secretary-General of the LDP (2012–2014).

Ishiba comes from a political family. His father, Jirō Ishiba, was the governor of Tottori Prefecture and later a government minister. After studying at Keio University, Shigeru Ishiba worked at a bank. He entered politics after his father passed away. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1986 when he was 29 years old. Throughout his career, Ishiba has been known for his knowledge in agricultural and defense policies. He has also been called a "political maverick" because he sometimes criticized his own party.

Early Life and Education

Shigeru Ishiba was born in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on February 4, 1957. However, his family soon moved to Tottori Prefecture, where his father, Jirō Ishiba, became governor in 1958. His mother was a teacher. Shigeru Ishiba grew up in Tottori and went to school there.

Later, he moved to Tokyo to attend Keio Senior High School and then Keio University, where he studied law. After graduating in 1979, he started working at Mitsui Bank. His father died in 1981. A friend of his father, former prime minister Kakuei Tanaka, encouraged Ishiba to become a politician and continue his father's work.

Political Journey (1986–2024)

Ishiba left the bank in 1983 and began working for a political group linked to Kakuei Tanaka. In the 1986 Japanese general election, Ishiba was elected to the House of Representatives as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). At 29, he was the youngest member of the House.

Yasuo Fukuda Cabinet 20070926
Ishiba (third row, second from left) with members of the Yasuo Fukuda Cabinet, September 26, 2007.

As a young politician, Ishiba focused on farming policies. However, the Gulf War in 1990 and a visit to North Korea in 1992 sparked his interest in defense. He served as a vice minister for agriculture. In 1993, he left the LDP to join the Japan Renewal Party. He later joined the New Frontier Party but left it in 1996 due to internal disagreements. He rejoined the LDP in 1997.

Ishiba held several important positions after rejoining the LDP. He became the Director-General of the Defense Agency in 2002 under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. In this role, he supported sending Japanese troops to Iraq in 2004 to help with reconstruction. He also served as Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008 and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2009.

Ishiba tried to become the leader of the LDP several times. He ran in 2008, 2012 (against Shinzo Abe), and 2018. Even though he often criticized how the LDP worked, he started his own political group, Suigetsukai, in 2015. After Shinzo Abe resigned in 2020, Ishiba ran again but came in third. He did not run in the 2021 election, supporting Taro Kono instead.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe raising a signboard
Ishiba with Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Yoshihide Suga in September 2014.

In September 2012, while the LDP was not in power, Ishiba ran for party president again. He was narrowly defeated by former prime minister Shinzo Abe. However, he accepted the role of Secretary-General of the LDP. He continued in this role after the LDP returned to power in the December 2012 election. In 2013, he faced criticism for a comment he made about public protests, which he later withdrew.

In 2014, Ishiba was appointed Minister for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy. He left the cabinet in 2016. He challenged Abe again in the 2018 LDP presidential election but lost.

Becoming Prime Minister (2024–Present)

Shigeru Ishiba was designated as the 102nd Prime Minister 4
Ishiba is elected Prime Minister by the Diet, October 1, 2024.

In August 2024, then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced he would not seek re-election as LDP leader. This meant he would also step down as prime minister. Ishiba became one of the main candidates to replace him. On September 27, 2024, Ishiba won the LDP leadership election, defeating Sanae Takaichi in a close vote. His victory was seen as a surprise by many.

After winning, Ishiba became the new LDP leader and was set to become prime minister. The Japanese stock market saw a sudden drop, which some called "Ishiba Shock," due to concerns about his economic plans.

Three days after his election, Ishiba appointed new party officials. He named former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as the party's vice president. On September 30, Ishiba announced plans to dissolve the House of Representatives on October 9, leading to a snap general election on October 27, 2024. This decision was made even before he was officially elected Prime Minister by the Diet, which drew some criticism.

On October 1, 2024, Ishiba was officially elected Prime Minister by the National Diet and appointed by Emperor Naruhito. He then announced his new cabinet, including some of his rivals from the leadership race.

First Policies and Election

In his first major speech on October 4, Ishiba highlighted Japan's low birth rate and the security situation in the region as his main concerns. He called the low birth rate a "quiet emergency." He also promised to help Japan's economy grow and address issues with the Imperial House of Japan.

On October 9, Ishiba dissolved the House of Representatives for the general election. The LDP also decided to withdraw support for some politicians involved in funding issues. Despite these efforts, the LDP lost many seats in the October 27 election, losing its majority in the Diet for the first time since 2009.

The day after the election, Ishiba stated his intention to remain Prime Minister. On November 11, he was re-elected as prime minister of a minority government by the Diet. This was the first time in 30 years that a Japanese prime minister needed a second round of voting to be re-elected. His cabinet mostly stayed the same.

Domestic Policies

In January 2025, Ishiba's government proposed a record-high budget for the new fiscal year. This large budget was mainly due to costs for social security for Japan's aging population and strengthening defense. On January 24, he gave a speech about his vision for a "fun Japan" where everyone feels safe and respected. He also emphasized regional development, closing the gender pay gap, and digitalization.

In February 2025, Ishiba worked with the Japan Innovation Party to pass the 2025 budget. This budget included plans for free high school education and cuts to social insurance fees.

Social Issues

In January 2025, Ishiba's government announced that same-sex partners would have similar rights to common-law marriages under 24 laws. Discussions also began within the LDP about allowing married couples to keep their separate surnames. While Ishiba has supported same-sex marriage in his writings, he has been cautious about introducing specific laws for it as prime minister, considering the country's constitution.

In a 2004 speech, Ishiba used a word that sounded like "autistic forces" to describe the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF), meaning they had poor communication. He later apologized for this comment, saying it was inappropriate and had hurt people.

Foreign Policies

Prime Minister Ishiba meeting with President of South Korea Yoon Suk-yeol (2024)
Ishiba with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in November 2024.

Ishiba became Prime Minister during the final months of Joe Biden's presidency in the United States. He met with President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at a summit in Peru in November 2024. In January 2025, he held a virtual meeting with Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen ties. After Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Ishiba congratulated him and expressed a desire to meet soon.

United States Relations

Ishiba with Trump in the Oval Office February 2025 2
Ishiba meets with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, February 7, 2025.

Ishiba visited Washington D.C. in February 2025 and met with Donald Trump at the White House. During their meeting, Ishiba praised Trump. Trump confirmed that Nippon Steel would invest in US Steel rather than own it. Trump also expressed a desire to reduce the United States' trade deficit with Japan but said tariffs were unlikely. Ishiba announced that Japan would increase its investment in the United States to $1 billion, with companies like Toyota Motors planning new factories. On security, Trump said the US would continue to provide military help to Japan. They also agreed to work together to counter China's economic power and reduce the threat from North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

However, on April 2, 2025, Trump announced new tariffs on Japanese goods. Ishiba said these tariffs were "difficult to understand" given Japan's investments in the US. He called the tariff situation "like a national crisis" and asked other political parties to cooperate.

China, South Korea, and Trade

Courtesy Call from Foreign Ministers of China and the ROK (2025) 04
Ishiba with the Foreign Ministers of South Korea (Cho Tae-yul; left) and China (Wang Yi; right) in March 2025.

In November 2024, Ishiba urged President Biden to approve a deal involving Nippon Steel and US Steel, which Biden ultimately blocked. Following this, Japan's Foreign Minister visited China, signaling improved ties. In January 2025, Ishiba's government announced it would ease visa rules for Chinese tourists, a plan that received some criticism within his own party.

Before Trump's tariffs were announced, China, South Korea, and Japan agreed to work together to respond to the expected tariffs and strengthen free trade. After Yoon Suk Yeol left office as President of South Korea in April 2025, Ishiba stated that cooperation between Japan and South Korea is important for regional peace and security, regardless of who is in power.

In response to the US tariffs, Ishiba formed a council of ministers to address the issue. He held talks with opposition parties to discuss a unified approach.

Ukraine, Gaza, and Other Issues

In February 2025, Ishiba said his government would consider offering medical care and educational opportunities to people from the Gaza Strip, due to the ongoing conflict there.

Like his predecessor, Ishiba has continued to support Ukraine during the Russian invasion. In February 2025, Japan's Defense Minister announced that Japan would provide about 30 more transport vehicles to Ukraine's military. Ishiba also commented on a public disagreement between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, stating that Japan would work to prevent divisions between the US and Ukraine.

In February 2025, Japan and the Philippines agreed to create a framework to expand defense equipment and technology exports from Japan.

Controversy

In March 2025, a newspaper reported that some new LDP members of parliament received gift certificates from Ishiba's office. Ishiba's office confirmed he had given gift certificates worth about ¥100,000 (around $676) each to about a dozen lawmakers as "souvenirs" for new suits. Ishiba said the money came from his personal funds and was not for political activities. Most lawmakers decided to return the certificates.

This incident happened while discussions were ongoing in the Diet about making political funding more transparent. Opposition lawmakers criticized Ishiba, saying it was hard for the public to understand. The Political Funds Control Act prohibits cash or security donations to individual politicians, and the gift certificates could be seen as a donation.

Political Views

Ishiba is often described as a centrist, a moderate conservative, and a reformist. While he has been linked to a far-right group, he has also been criticized by some nationalists. He has stated that Japan's failure to fully address its wartime past is a cause of many problems.

Social Views

Ishiba supports allowing married couples to choose to keep their separate surnames. He has also expressed support for same-sex marriage in Japan, stating that laws should be passed quickly to protect the rights of all citizens. However, as prime minister, he has said he would consider court rulings on the issue, as Japan's constitution regulates marriage.

In December 2024, Prime Minister Ishiba said that fulfilling the wishes of same-sex couples to be together would have a positive impact on Japan's overall well-being.

Economic Policies

Ishiba, who represents a rural area, often talks about the need to reduce economic differences between Japan's big cities and its rural areas. Rural areas face challenges like declining populations and economic slowdown. After his election, Ishiba called for a special budget to help rural areas with rising costs.

He plans to continue economic policies aimed at helping Japan overcome deflation. He wants a "fairer" tax system and aims to increase taxes like the capital gains tax. He believes the economy will improve if people spend more, and he is committed to raising the minimum wage to 1,500 yen per hour by the end of the decade.

Foreign Policies

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meeting President of China Xi Jinping during APEC Peru 2024 02
Ishiba with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC Peru 2024 on November 15, 2024.

During a crisis with North Korea in 2013, Ishiba stated that Japan had the right to launch a preemptive strike. He supports Taiwanese democracy but also calls for stronger diplomacy and engagement with China, rather than conflict.

Ishiba has suggested that an "Asian NATO" (a military alliance like NATO in Europe) is needed to counter security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. He believes this alliance, centered on the US-Japan alliance, should include countries like Australia, Canada, the Philippines, India, France, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. He stated that the goal is to protect Japan, as the security situation is the toughest since World War II. However, this idea has been met with mixed reactions from other countries.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Bongbong Marcos in Manila (2025) 05
Ishiba with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos in Manila in April 2025.

Ishiba has also suggested that Japan's alliance with the US should be more balanced, with Japan having more control over American military bases in Japan. He believes Japan needs its own strong military strategy to be an equal partner.

Historical Views

After winning the 2024 LDP presidential election, some South Korean media described Ishiba as a "dove" (someone who favors peace) regarding Japan's responsibility in World War II. In 2019, he stated that many problems between Japan and South Korea stem from Japan's failure to face its wartime past. However, in October 2024, Ishiba sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, including some convicted war criminals. This action drew criticism from South Korea.

Ishiba has criticized Japan's government during World War II, saying they should be held accountable for entering a war they were doomed to lose. He has questioned whether visits to Yasukuni Shrine by politicians are in Japan's national interest, given the concerns from China and South Korea. He has not visited the shrine since 2002 and instead visits local shrines. He also supports separating convicted war criminals from the shrine.

Military Interests

Ishiba is known as a "military geek" and has a strong interest in military matters. He is knowledgeable about weapons systems and defense laws. He also enjoys building and painting models of aircraft and ships. Ishiba has often said that Japan needs its own version of the United States Marine Corps to defend its many small islands.

Nuclear Weapons

In 2011, Ishiba supported the idea of Japan having the ability to build nuclear weapons, even if it doesn't possess them. He said that maintaining commercial nuclear reactors would allow Japan to produce a nuclear warhead quickly, acting as a "tacit nuclear deterrent." He repeated this view in 2017 and suggested in 2024 that the region should consider nuclear weapons if it wants an "Asian NATO."

Personal Life

Ishiba is married to Yoshiko Nakamura, whom he met at Keio University. They married in 1983 and have two daughters. Ishiba is a Christian, specifically a Protestant. He was baptized at age 18. He also visits Buddhist graves of his ancestors and worships at a Shinto shrine.

Ishiba is known for his deep interest in the military, vehicles, and trains. He has a large collection of military plastic models, some displayed in his office. He is also a fan of the 1970s Japanese idol group Candies and enjoys riding sleeper trains. He is an avid reader, reportedly reading three books daily. He also leads an intraparty ramen society. In March 2025, Ishiba became the first prime minister to attend the Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show, promoting a "cute, lively and cool" Japan.

Despite being in opposing parties, Ishiba is personal friends with CDP Leader Yoshihiko Noda. He is also on good terms with Ishin co-leader Seiji Maehara, sharing a love for trains.

Ishiba once allowed a Japan Self-Defense Forces vehicle to be displayed at a hobby show. He also gave a plastic model of a military aircraft to a former US Ambassador to Japan. He is known to be a heavy smoker.

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