The country’s governing political party, the Liberal Democratic Party, voted for the former minister of defense to lead the country. Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party has primarily been the country’s ruling party since the end of World War II.

Ishiba defeated Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s economic security minister, in election runoffs after receiving 215 votes compared to Takaichi’s 194 in the final round of the elections, Tokyo Weekender reported. Takaichi was vying to become Japan’s first female prime minister.

It was the closest leadership election in Japan in nearly seventy years, according to Reuters. Ishiba will replace ​​Fumio Kishida, who announced he was stepping down in August after his involvement in several scandals. Last week’s election was Ishiba’s fifth attempt to win the election for prime minister.

After his victory, Ishiba announced he would “devote all my body and soul” to his new position and work to gain the trust of the Japanese public, the Associated Press reported. 

“We must be a party that allows members to discuss the truth freely, a party that is fair and impartial and a party that is humble,” Ishiba said at a news conference after the election. 

In addition to promoting ethical reform in the country, Ishiba stressed the importance of national security, citing Russia and China’s encroachments on his country’s airspace. He reportedly suggested an Asian version of NATO and establishing “an organic connection” of defense agreements similar to the ANZUS alliance between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Additionally, he called for a more balanced security relationship between Japan and the United States, the Associated Press reported. 

“We have to think how we can achieve peace and stability in this region,” said Ishiba.