The Shigeru Ishiba I personally know

Surpassing many people’s expectations — perhaps even his own — Shigeru Ishiba bested eight other candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election last week before he was sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday.

And since taking office, he is already being criticized by the left and the right for backtracking on previous statements involving the timing of the Lower House election as well as his weak base within the party.

The first time I met Ishiba was in the 1980s, when I was an official in the National Security and U.S. Status of Forces Agreement divisions at the Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Bureau. At a meeting of the LDP's Defense Committee, Ishiba stood out, as he was the only legislator who brought a complete set of Japanese law books with him.

I had never heard of a politician bringing a complete set of Japanese law books to an LDP committee meeting, let alone a foreign affairs or defense bureaucrat. Perhaps because he is a graduate of Keio University's Faculty of Law or because of his own meticulous personality, Ishiba has always been particular about legal details. He is well-versed in laws related to defense and security and he has a wealth of knowledge that enables him to brilliantly refute the poorly written briefings by bureaucrats.

Ishiba's studiousness is not limited to defense issues. I heard talk of how his keen attention to detail was fully evident during his tenure as both an agriculture minister and regional revitalization minister. Even though he was a formidable opponent for bureaucrats, I always enjoyed discussions and briefings with Ishiba. His approach was refreshing as he made an effort to understand not only the political aspects of issues, but also the factual and legal details — something rare among ordinary politicians.

He is his own person

Humans are naturally social creatures, and I think this tendency is often stronger in politicians than others. However, I have never encountered a politician who is less gregarious than Ishiba. In fact, some outspoken political commentators have characterized his career as a “history of betrayals.” He bolted from the LDP after just seven years. Upon returning, he joined a powerful politician's faction but left it after being appointed to his first Cabinet post, stating that Cabinet ministers should not belong to factions.

Subsequently, while serving as a Cabinet minister in the Taro Aso administration, he faced criticism for his involvement in attempts to oust Aso, which many viewed as a betrayal of those he owed much to. In 2015, he established his own faction, but instead of growing, it gradually lost support and was dissolved after just six years. It seems that Ishiba is either uninterested in or not skilled at expanding his influence through socializing with fellow politicians and engaging in the kind of banter that often builds relationships in politics.

An otaku at heart

Not being part of a group allows for a unique personal world. Ishiba's motto is, “Eagles and hawks do not flock.” His hobbies and special skills include trains, reading, cooking and long-distance swimming. He is well known for his love of plastic model planes and tanks and is also an avid fan of the female idol group Candies, which dominated the music scene in the 1970s.

In short, Ishiba is not just a politician; he is also an otaku (someone who partakes in geek culture). However, he does not fit the stereotype of the introverted nerd often associated with being an otaku. Ishiba takes pride in his mottos and interests, remains steadfast in his beliefs and stays true to his path. This type of personality is quite rare among members of the nation's parliament.

His serious curiosity

Perhaps this is due to his personality, but even though I have known him for a long time, I cannot recall ever being invited to an Ishiba faction meeting or a dinner party where he was present. However, there was one occasion when I was working in Iraq immediately after the Iraq War. During a brief return to Japan, then-Defense Minister Ishiba invited me to his residence for a sushi dinner. I have fond memories of discussing the situation in Iraq over the take-out sushi and amid his displays of plastic models.

My honest impression of Ishiba is that he is a politician unlike other Japanese lawmakers: He is serious, studious, a nonconformist and geeky all in one, as well as a truly endearing person.

Because he has few followers, he competes based on policy rather than the number of friends and allies. He is knowledgeable, but his geeky nature leads him to focus on content that differs from others. As a result, his policies often take eccentric turns. Typical examples include his proposals for an Asian version of NATO, the sharing of nuclear weapons and the revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. Reportedly, some in the U.S. have expressed concerns about Ishiba due to his article on these topics, which he contributed to the Hudson Institute in late September.

I would like to assure my dear readers and friends in America that there is no need to worry. Ishiba is a good-natured (otaku) politician who often expresses his ideals and desires through his policies and has a deep understanding of facts and details. The real question we must ask is whether such a nonconformist politician can transform himself into a realistic leader and ruler of a nation.