Factbox: Ex-foreign minister Kishida becomes Japan's ruling party leader. What's next?

Japan’s former foreign Minister Fumio Kishida puts on his face mask as he leaves the stage after winning the Liberal Democrat Party leadership election in Tokyo, Japan September 29, 2021. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's former foreign minister Fumio Kishida won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race on Wednesday, virtually ensuring he will become the next prime minister.

He vowed to lead a transformed party in a general election due within weeks and to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.