Kishida Stands Down

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in his press conference on August 14 that he would not run for the presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party in September. Kishida abandoned seeking his second term as the president. It means that new party leader elected in the election will make the next prime minister of Japan with votes in the extraordinary session of the Diet, expected to be convoked next month. Highly unusual political situation in which significantly unpopular prime minister stays on his position will be finished. 

In his press conference, Kishida insisted on the necessity of change for the LDP. “It is necessary for the LDP to show its change before the nationals. The first step very easy for the people to understand is that I am going to stand down. I will not run for coming presidential election,” said Kishida. He explained that he could put a period on his diplomatic agenda by telephone talk with the prime minister of Mongolia the day before.

 

In the slush fund scandal of the LDP, Kishida lost public confidence on his leadership, failing in explaining how and why the kickback system of ticket sales for fundraising party was created and operated. Lack of leadership for regaining confidence for the LDP caused miserable defeats in the by-elections of the House of Representatives in April, generating among the LDP lawmakers serious concern for coming elections of both Houses of the Diet.

 

Kishida alienated himself from the LDP lawmakers by deciding dissolution of his faction, Kochi-kai, and attending Political Ethics Council of the Diet to explain about his own involvement in the scandal to urge other LDP lawmakers to take responsibility for handlings of political funds. The lawmakers were frustrated and skeptical about Kishida’s leadership, demanding resignation as the president. It is fair to say that the situation around Kishida has not been sufficient for maintaining an administration.

 

It is inevitable for the race to be accelerated. Former LDP Secretary General and former Minister of Defense, Shigeru Ishiba, has been expressing his willingness for leading post-Kishida LDP. Current Secretary General, Toshimitsu Motegi, did not hide his ambition for the prime minister. It is likely that the race will be led by those two leaders. Two former prime ministers, Taro Aso and Yoshihide Suga who hope to maintain behind-the-scene leadership, may have impact on the race. Motegi should be the preferable leader to exercise influence for Aso and Ishiba for Suga.

 

Although a young leader should be necessary for displaying a change of the LDP, it is not easy to raise one. Article 10 of the Rules for Election of President of the LDP says “only those members nominated by at least twenty Party Diet members shall be accepted as candidates.” Collecting twenty supporters is not easy, because they will be ill-treated, if their candidate loses in the presidential election. A quasi-faction politics remains as long as this provision remains.

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