Shigeru Ishiba Biography- Shigeru Ishiba born February 4, 1957 is a prominent Japanese politician who has served as President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 2024. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1986 and held various ministerial roles, including Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008 and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2009. Additionally, he served as Secretary-General of the LDP from 2012 to 2014. Ishiba comes from a political family; his father, Jiro Ishiba, was the Governor of Tottori Prefecture from 1958 to 1974 and later served as Minister for Home Affairs. After graduating from Keio University, Ishiba worked in finance before entering politics following his father’s death. He was elected to the House of Representatives at the 1986 general election at the age of 33, making him the youngest member.
Shigeru Ishiba Biography 2024
Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician who has served as President of the Liberal Democratic Party since 2024.
Born: 4 February 1957 (age 67 years), Yazu, Tottori, Japan
Previous offices: Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (2008–2009), Minister of Defense of Japan (2007–2008)
Education: Keio University, Keio Senior High School, Tottoridaigakufuzoku Junior High School
Grandparent: Ichizō Ishiba
Party: Liberal Democratic Party
Spouse: Keiko Ishiba (m. 1983)
Parents: Jiro Ishiba, Kazuko Ishiba
Shigeru Ishiba Biography 2024 Details
| Born | 4 February 1957 (age 67)
Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |
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| Political party | Liberal Democratic (1986–1993; 1997–present) |
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Other political
affiliations | Nippon Kaigi
Japan Renewal Party
(1993–1994)
New Frontier Party
(1994–1996)
Independent (1996–1997) |
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| Spouse | Yoshiko Ishiba |
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| Parent | Jiro Ishiba (father) |
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| Relatives | Ichizo Ishiba (grandfather) |
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| Education | Keio Senior High School |
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| Alma mater | Keio University (LLB) |
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| Category | Politician Biography |
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Early Life
Shigeru Ishiba was born on February 4, 1957, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, although his registered domicile was in his father’s hometown in the Yazu District of Tottori Prefecture. His father, Jirō Ishiba, was a government official who later became Vice Minister of Construction. His mother was a teacher and a granddaughter of the Christian minister Michitomo Kanamori. When Jirō Ishiba was elected Governor of Tottori Prefecture in 1958, the family relocated there, and Shigeru has no memories of living in Tokyo. Jirō served as governor until 1974 and later became a member of the House of Councillors, eventually serving as Minister for Home Affairs in the Zenkō Suzuki Cabinet.
Growing up in Tottori Prefecture, Ishiba attended Tottori University Junior High School before transferring to Keio Senior High School. He studied law at Keio University in Tokyo and graduated in 1979, subsequently beginning his career at Mitsui Bank. After his father’s death in 1981, former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, a family friend, encouraged Ishiba to pursue a political career to honor his father’s legacy.
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Personal Life
Shigeru Ishiba is a Protestant Christian, having been baptized at 18 in the Tottori Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan. In recent years, he has participated in the Evangelical CBMC’s National Prayer Breakfast and also pays respects at the Buddhist graves of his ancestors while visiting Shinto shrines. Ishiba has a keen interest in military vehicles, trains, and Japanese pop idols. He gained attention when he permitted a Japan Self-Defense Forces vehicle to be displayed at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, a trade fair dedicated to plastic and radio-controlled models. Additionally, during a visit from the Russian Defense Minister, he stayed up all night assembling a plastic model of the “Admiral Kuznetsov.”
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Who Is Shigeru Ishiba?
Shigeru Ishiba, a seasoned lawmaker and former Minister of Defense, has recently become Japan’s Prime Minister. At 67, he has made significant contributions to security issues and the revitalization of rural communities. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Ishiba has been in politics for 38 years and has long aspired to the Prime Minister’s position. After four unsuccessful bids to lead the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), including a notable defeat to Shinzo Abe in 2012, he finally succeeded on his fifth attempt. Ishiba hails from a political family; his father also served as a Cabinet minister.
He entered politics in 1986, winning his first parliamentary seat with the LDP at the age of 29. Throughout his extensive political career, Ishiba has held several key positions, including LDP Secretary-General and Minister of Agriculture, in addition to his role as Minister of Defense. He was reportedly sidelined by outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, becoming a dissenting voice within the LDP. Ishiba has publicly opposed various policies, including the expanded use of nuclear energy, and has criticized the party for not allowing married couples to use different surnames.
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Political career in the LDP
In 1986, Shigeru Ishiba became the youngest member of the House of Representatives, contesting from the Tottori prefecture as a candidate from the LDP. However, during his career he was often sidelined due to his view clashing with the party at times, reported news agency AFP. This was the former defence minister’s fifth attempt to lead the LDP, which is incredibly influential in Japan’s political sphere, reported AFP Over the years Ishiba had many portfolios under his belt, serving as parliamentary vice minister of agriculture in 1993, defence minister and minister for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy, among others. He also briefly defected from the LDP from 1993-1996, joining the Japan Renewal Party. However, he re-joined the LDP after becoming disillusioned by the factions working against each other in the party.
