Shigeru Ishiba

Infobox Defense Minister
name = Shigeru Ishiba

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order = Minister of Defence of Japan
term_start = 26 September 2007
term_end = 1 August 2008
primeminister = Yasuo Fukuda
predecessor = Masahiko Komura
successor = Yoshimasa Hayashi
birth_date = birth date and age|1957|02|04|df=y
birth_place =
death_date =
death_date =

Shigeru Ishiba (石破 茂 "Ishiba Shigeru", born 4 February 1957) is a Japanese politician. He was Minister of Defense under Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda from 2007 to 2008 and is currently Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

He is a graduate of Keio University and formerly served in the Mitsui bank. He was a major proponent of bringing Japan into the multinational force in Iraq in 2003.

Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and part of the LDP faction led by Yuji Tsushima. [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070926TDY01002.htm "Fukuda Cabinet launched / Changes minimized to reduce impact on Diet business"] , "The Yomiuri Shimbun", September 26, 2007.]

He became Defense Minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 26 September 2007, serving in that post until 1 August 2008.

Ishina is the second person in the Cabinet of Fukuda to express belief and concern in the existence of UFOs after Nobutaka Machimura. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view_article.php?article_id=108025 Japan's defense minister braces for aliens] , inquirer.net, December 20, 2007]

Following Fukuda's resignation, Ishiba stood as a candidate for the LDP presidency. In the leadership election, held on September 22, 2008, Taro Aso won with 351 of the 527 votes; Ishiba placed fifth and last with 25 votes. [ [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080922dy04.htm "Aso elected LDP head"] , "The Yomiuri Shimbun", 22 September 2008.] In Aso's Cabinet, appointed on 24 September 2008, Ishiba was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. [ [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080925TDY01303.htm "Aso elected premier / Announces Cabinet lineup himself; poll likely on Nov. 2"] , "The Yomiuri Shimbun", 25 September 2008.]

References