Japan’s governing party on Friday picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week. The party leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s governing coalition controls parliament.

Ishiba, who wants an “Asian NATO” to counter security threats from China and North Korea, is the Liberal Democratic Party’s new leader, replacing Fumio Kishida.

Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday won a race to lead Japan’s conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party, a victory that puts him in line to succeed resigning Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.