S/ Ishiba Shigeru, New Prime Minister of Japan / We will carry out politics humbly, sincerely and warmly. I think of this Cabinet as one of acceptance and resonance. We will pursue politics for the people so that we can above all gain everyone's acceptance and resonance. We will straightforwardly advance politics of acceptance and resonance.

New Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru made the remarks at a press conference at his office in Tokyo late on October 1 after launching his Cabinet.

He also declared that he is dissolving the House of Representatives on October 9 for a general election on October 27, with official campaigning getting underway on October 15.

S/ Ishiba Shigeru, New Prime Minister of Japan / I believe that it is my mission to ask the citizens, who are the sovereign rulers, whether they will place trust in this Cabinet or whether they will choose other options.

Asked why he hastily called the lower house election, Ishiba said he wants to seek a popular mandate at an early time.

He also said he is working toward providing the people with material they can use to make their judgment.

Before being appointed prime minister earlier in the day, Ishiba had said he would hold sufficient discussions with opposition parties before dissolving the lower house.

As to whether he will make election endorsements for lawmakers involved in his ruling Liberal Democratic Party's faction-related political fund scandal, he said he will decide based on how much support they have in their respective constituencies.

Concerning the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, the new Japanese leader said he believes that revisions to the accord governing the status of the U.S. military in Japan will reinforce the bilateral alliance.

Ishiba expressed intention to continue the economic policies of the Kishida government, noting that he will implement emergency measures to tackle rising prices, including providing benefits for low-income households.