Ishiba announces bid to succeed Kishida as Japan's leader

FILE PHOTO: Shigeru Ishiba, a member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Makiko Yamazaki/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Shigeru Ishiba, a former defence minister, said on Saturday he would run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on Sept 27 that will pick a successor to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Kishida will step down in September, ending a three-year term as leader of the world's fourth-largest economy.