Requests for Resignation Erupt in Unofficial Joint Plenary Meeting

To discuss the reason why it lost seats in the election of Upper House and to realize who was responsible for it, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held unofficial meeting by the members of both Houses of the Diet on July 28. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba insisted on staying as the premier, most speakers demanded the party to determine who was responsible, effectively requested Ishiba to step down. Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama indicated his resignation after reviewing the election in August. 

Anti-Ishiba lawmakers in the LDP were collecting signatures to have an official Joint Plenary Meeting (JPM) by Diet Members, in which LDP members can discuss presidential election. The board members led by LDP president Ishiba decided to have unofficial meeting on July 28, instead of official JPM.

 

At the beginning of the meeting, Ishiba apologized serious defeat in the Upper House election on July 20th. Having said that, he insisted on staying at his current position not to create any political emptiness. “We are going to make utmost efforts to implementing the agreement on tariff between U.S, President Trump and us, and we are also responsible for agricultural policies and the issues on social security and taxation,” said Ishiba.

 

The discussion was prolonged from scheduled two hours to four and half hours without disclosing to the press. According to the participants, opinions erupted from LDP members were about responsibility for the result of Upper House election. “I hope the leaders to consider how they would take responsibility as the top of an organization,” said Takayuki Kobayashi who ran for LDP president last September.

 

The argument upheld by anti-Ishiba lawmakers is that the decrease of seats in the Upper House is stemming from wrong leadership of current leaders led by Ishiba, they have lost in some other elections, as long as Ishiba is top leader of the party, the LDP cannot win any election, and that is why Ishiba needs to voluntarily step down.

 

Receiving pressure to take “responsibility”, Secretary General Moriyama announced that the party would establish by the end of August a conference for reviewing the Upper House election and conclude why the LDP had lost. “I will make my responsibility clear when the review is done,” said Moriyama to the audience of unofficial JPM. His words were interpreted as suggesting his resignation.

 

After all, the LDP Board decided to convene a JPM. Article 35 of LDP Constitution stipulates that JPM shall be convened with requests from one-third of LDP Diet members. Anti-Ishiba groups fulfilled that condition. Anti-Ishiba groups fulfilled that condition. 

 

Anti-Ishiba groups also consider recalling Ishiba based on Article 6. It says that “If more than half the total of all Party Diet Members and the total of one representative from each Prefectural Party Federation branch request the presidential election before the term of the President expires, the election shall be conducted in the same manner as if the President vacates his or her seat during the presidential term.”

 

Anti-Ishiba groups believe that they can recall Ishiba, if they are successful in achieving majority approval from LDP Diet members and local representatives. However, the LDP has been interpreting their rules according to the preference of leaders. It is unsure whether early presidential election will be held so far. There is an opinion that it is ultimately about whether Ishiba will voluntarily steps down or not.

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