TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ishiba Shigeru, a former defense minister tipped as a future prime minister of Japan, plans to visit Taiwan next month, reports said Tuesday (July 30).

He will travel as part of a multiparty delegation of lawmakers, per CNA. Ishiba also served as secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

A meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) during the August 12-14 visit is being arranged, per CNA. Delegation leaders described Taiwan as a very important partner for the security of the Northeast Asian region.

When Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s three-year term as LDP leader ends in September, he might run for re-election, but because of his relatively low popularity, challengers might emerge, including Ishida. As the LDP controls both houses of parliament, whoever wins the party leadership election will also serve as prime minister.

Opinion polls reportedly named Ishiba as the most popular choice to head the ruling party, while Kishida ranked in sixth place.