The party leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party's governing coalition controls parliament,
NPR reported.
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.
At a news conference, 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 defense and Japan's declining birthrate and population. "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.
Ishiba has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance, and said Friday that the idea is to form "an organic connection" of existing U.S.-led defense networks such as the ANZUS alliance with Australia and New Zealand and its alliances with South Korea and the Philippines. "We have to think how we can achieve peace and stability in this region," he said.
He also suggested a more equal Japan-U.S. security alliance, and said having Japanese Self Defense Forces training bases in the United States would "contribute to the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. security alliance," though he did not elaborate. He is a supporter of Taiwan' s democracy. He also advocates the establishment of a disaster management agency in one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.
