Kishida garners majority votes at House of Representatives in Japanese PM election

TOKYO - Fumio Kishida, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), secured a majority of votes at the House of Representatives in a special Diet session convened on Monday to elect the country's new prime minister.

As the ruling coalition led by the LDP controls both chambers, 64-year-old Kishida is expected to secure a majority of votes at the House of Councillors as well.

"This is the real starting point. I will go forth with a strong sense of determination, with a strong resolution," he said at the LDP's headquarters in Tokyo in the morning.

After being formally installed as Japan's new prime minister, Kishida will name his new Cabinet, and then he will be formally inaugurated in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace and hold a press conference in the evening.

Kishida's first major test as prime minister will be the general election. He is planning to hold the election on Oct 31.