Japan’s incoming prime minister Shigeru Ishiba is poised to call a snap election for the end of the month, according to media reports, days after he promised to lift his party’s dwindling fortunes and “put a smile” back on the faces of the public.

Ishiba defeated economic security minister Sanae Takaichi in a runoff, after the two won the most votes in the first round in a crowded field of nine candidates.