Japan's next leader vows to reform ruling party

The newly-elected leader of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Fumio Kishida said maintained his "determination" to reform the ruling party as he prepares to become the next prime minister.

Kishida pledged to change the party's high-handed reputation, worsened by outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who angered the public over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and insistence on holding the Olympics in Tokyo this summer.

As the new leader of the party, Kishida is certain to be elected the next prime minister on Monday in parliament, where his party and its coalition partner control both houses.