Former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba will soon become the new Prime Minister of Japan, replacing  Fumio Kishida whose tenure will end soon.

Ishiba marched ahead to take charge of the country's key post after winning the party’s leadership contest on Friday.

He will assume command of the fourth largest economy of the world after the parliament convenes in October.

His party holds the majority in the lower house of the parliament.

He was one of nine candidates and beat economic security minister Sanae Takaichi – who was vying to become Japan’s first woman leader – in the runoff, with 215 votes to 194, reported CNN.

Shigeru Ishiba also beat Shinjiro Koizumi on his way to become the PM.

After winning the vote, Shigeru Ishiba said will devote himself to making Japan a "safer" country, reported Kyodo news agency.

Shigeru Ishiba has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1986 and has served as Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008 and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2009, as well as being the Secretary-General of the LDP from 2012 to 2014.