Former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba was elected by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Friday as its leader and, de facto, the next prime minister.

Former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba defeated economic security minister Sanae Takaichi in a runoff election to determine the head of Japan's ruling party. Ishiba is now expected to be approved as prime minister in a vote by parliament on Oct.

Japan's incoming prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, said he wanted to clean up his ruling party, revitalise the economy and see off security threats from powerful neighbours after triumphing in his fifth and what he called final leadership bid on Friday.