Fumio Kishida, the new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, will take office as prime minister on Monday and form his Cabinet, tasked with keeping COVID-19 under control while reviving a battered economy.
The former foreign minister will also be looking to bolster cooperation with the United States to counter China's rising assertiveness and military buildup and address the recent resumption of ballistic missile tests by North Korea.
Kishida, 64, is all but guaranteed to be elected as prime minister when an extraordinary Diet session convenes Monday since the LDP-led ruling coalition controls both chambers.