Ishiba pledges reform, help for households as prices rise

New Japanese PM unveils Cabinet that includes rivals and allies but only 2 women

- Ang Qing

TOKYO Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Oct 1 promised political reform and help for households as prices rise, and said he would seek deeper ties with friendly nations to counter the gravest security threats his country has faced since World War II.

Mr Ishiba earlier unveiled his Cabinet as he seeks to heal party divisions and secure a national mandate after calling an Oct 27 snap election.

The 67-year-old former defence minister, who last week won a close-fought contest to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was confirmed earlier in the day as prime minister by Parliament.

"I want this Cabinet to be one that trusts the people and is trusted by the people," Mr Ishiba said.

His administration's approach to diplomacy with Japan's closest ally, the United States, will be in focus, as he has repeatedly called for a more balanced relationship with Washington, including having greater oversight of bases in Japan used by the US military.

He has also proposed creating an Asian version of the collective security group Nato to deter China, an idea that could draw ire from Beijing and has already been dismissed by a senior US official as hasty.