During the call, Hegseth and his Japanese counterpart discussed Japan's efforts to increase its defence spending and strengthen its capabilities, China's military activities, and the importance of realistic training and exercises across Japan, including in the Southwest Islands
While the LDP's new leader will likely become prime minister, that is not guaranteed. The LDP-Komeito coalition does not have a majority in the House of Representatives, the Lower House in the Parliament.
Just one day after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba decided to step down from the position of the president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), senior party leaders threw their hats into the ring for the race to succeed Ishiba.