Ishiba Shigeru has been elected leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The former LDP Secretary-General is now virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister.

Ishiba said: "I believe in the people and will speak the truth with courage and sincerity. I will do my best to make Japan a safe and secure country again, a place where everyone can live with a smile."

The 67-year-old Ishiba was first elected to the Lower House in 1986. He was 29, making him the youngest Diet member at the time.

Ishiba beat Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae in a runoff, winning 215 votes to Takaichi's 194.

This was his fifth, and he claimed final, attempt at becoming party leader.

Ishiba joined the Cabinet for the first time in 2002 as the head of the Defense Agency. He then served as Defense Minister, as well as Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister. He has also held executive posts within the LDP.

He is known to be well-versed in national security policies.

Ishiba is also known as a "defense otaku" because he likes to build plastic models of fighter jets and military vessels. He also claims himself to be a "railway otaku" as he uses trains to travel back and forth between Tokyo and his hometown Tottori in western Japan.