Who is Fumio Kishida, the next ruler of Japan seen as a conciliatory and moderate diplomat who sparks a turning point in Japanese politics

Fumio Kishida to become Japan’s new prime minister after winning ruling party primaries with a conciliatory profile, extensive diplomatic experience and a program that includes far-reaching economic reforms.

Third generation professional politician, Kishida was born 64 years ago in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, although it has its roots in Hiroshima, the city in western Japan that was the first in history to be attacked with a nuclear bomb in the final stages of WWII.

This former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense He leads his own liberal faction within the Japanese Conservative Party, and he came to power in his second attempt to conquer the throne of this formation and preceded by a reputation as an efficient but discreet manager.

BREAKDOWN WITH NEOLIBERAL POLICIES

Kishida is seen as a Continuing leader in the broad lines of his party, although It is accompanied by the promise to break with the “neoliberal policies” which marked the long government of Shinzo Abe. (2012-2020) and its “Abenomics” strategy, still in effect.

The new head of the PLD said that promote a more equitable distribution of wealth by supporting the most disadvantaged and favoring large companies in the country, which he accused of sometimes “harassing” small and medium-sized businesses.

Besides, aspires to implement a new economic recovery plan of “tens of trillions of yen” (tens of billions of dollars) aimed at exploiting the recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

CONCILIATOR AND ANTINUCLEAR

His resume as Chancellor of Japan from 2012 to 2017, precisely under the Abe government, includes progress on sensitive issues such as the thaw with Russia or the 2015 agreement with Seoul to compensate South Korean sex slaves. ., although this pact was later rejected by the South Korean executive of Moon Jae-in.

Kishida was the longest-serving foreign minister in post-war Japan and was the architect of former US President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima in 2017, during which for the first time a country’s leader of the nuclear attack paid tribute to the victims. of the lethal weapon.

The politician also aspires to give continuity to the initiative of local authorities in Hiroshima to “lead global efforts” for nuclear disarmament, which could mean that Japan continues to support the Arms Ban Treaty. nuclear powers of the UN, among which the signatories are not the atomic powers.

In the area of ​​security and foreign affairs, one of his priorities will be to strengthen the country’s defensive capabilities against China, whose growing military presence and economic influence he described as “deeply alarming”, in particular. more to strengthen the traditional alliance with the United States.

BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORS?

Despite his messages on Beijing, the coming to power of a moderate prime minister appreciated for his capacity for dialogue could mean improved ties with the Asian giant and with Seoul, who are not having their best time, as well as with Russia.

Who knows him they define him as a calm, honest person who knows how to listen, although perhaps too serious and not very charismatic for politics, even in a country where there are few leaders with great stage mastery.

One of his rare initiatives that wowed young audiences in Japan during his long political career was his appearance in a video with Japanese artist Piko Taro, a version of the viral hit “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen “as part of a UN campaign to promote the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fan of the Hiroshima Carp baseball team from his country and lover of “okonomiyaki”, one of the culinary specialties of this region, Kishida also has a reputation for being a heavy drinker.

His resistance to alcohol, according to the local press, allowed his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to keep pace with vodka and sake during one of the meetings between the two ministers which laid the foundations for an upcoming summit. between Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin. aimed at settling an old territorial dispute.

(With EFE information)

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