Former Defense Minister Ishiba chosen to lead Japan's ruling party, and to become PM next week

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00:00Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has chosen former Defense Minister Shigeru

00:05Ishiba as its new leader, and since a coalition controls both houses, he is all but assured

00:12to be sworn in as the country's prime minister next week.

00:16He beat Economic Security Minister Sanae Takahashi in a runoff, who would have become the country's

00:21first-ever female leader, and the vote was decided by the party's lawmakers and grassroots

00:26members.

00:27Japan is a top issue in Japan.

00:29It faces a number of regional threats, from an increasingly assertive China and its deepening

00:34defense ties with Russia, to North Korea's banned missile tests.

00:39Ishiba wants to push to boost the military and call for the creation of an Asian NATO,

00:46which could rile Beijing.

00:47Here's what he had to say.

00:52I will do my utmost to believe in the people, to speak the truth with courage and sincerity,

00:57and to make this country a safe and secure place where everyone can live with a smile

01:02on their faces once again.

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