"We must believe in the people, speak the truth with courage and sincerity, and work together to make Japan a safe and secure country where everyone can live with a smile once again," an emotional Ishiba said in a speech to lawmakers after securing the win.
Ishiba has pushed for a boost in military spending and has called for the creation of an Asian version of NATO, emphasizing the need for Japan to respond firmly to territorial breaches.
Japan is saying goodbye to a decades old policy of pacifism, launching its biggest military spending spree since World War II, driven by concern over China's growing military might.
With the LDP's majority in parliament, Ishiba's victory in the leadership election positions him as the likely next prime minister, after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced he would not seek reelection.
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