Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election Wednesday in a runoff vote against vaccination minister Taro Kono, making him all but certain to become Japan’s next prime minister, Kyodo news agency reported.

Kishida, who is set to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga next week, will be tasked with shoring up an economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening ties with the United States and other partners at a time when China is increasingly assertive in the Indo-Pacific region.

"We remain in a national crisis," Kishida said after the vote, alluding to the possibility that the nation could enter its sixth wave of coronavirus infections. "We must strive and continue our coronavirus response and forge an economic package worth dozens of trillions of yen by the end of the year."

Kishida called for unity among LDP members as he leads the party and junior coalition partner Komeito into a general election slated for November and next year’s election of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament.

Kishida also expressed his determination to safeguard universal values, such as democracy, ensure peace and stability in the region and increase Japan’s international presence by contributing to global challenges, including climate change.

"I will pursue diplomatic and security policies based on such determination and build a free and open Indo-Pacific region," he said.

Kishida vowed to "fulfill the government’s responsibility to explain to the people" its decisions while carefully listening to their voices.