Ishiba Isolated

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wrapped up its assessment on the Upper House election, in which the party suffered serious defeat, in Joint Plenary Meeting (JPM) on September 2. Although the party attributed the defeat to the slush fund scandal, it did not explicitly refer to responsibility of the president Shigeru Ishiba.

Ishiba announced his willingness to continue as the prime minister in the meeting, apologizing about loss of seats in the election. However, four LDP leaders, including Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama, offered their resignation to Ishiba. Ishiba appeared to be isolated from LDP leadership.

 

A special committee on reviewing the Upper House election submitted a report to the JPM. It assessed that LDP’s defeat was caused by secret fund scandal. The report also argued that LDP’s measures on price inflation had not been accepted by voters, or that a gaffe by an LDP member damaged image of the party. It voided referring to Ishiba’s responsibility. The report concluded that the party needs to “restart from dissolution,” a phrase which had often been used in crises of the party in the past.

 

In the JPM, Ishiba announced that he would stay as the LDP president and prime minister. “I could not meet the people’s demand for change,” said Ishiba with apology on defeat in the Upper House election. He emphasized his willingness to deal with his agenda, including tariff negotiation with the United States, agricultural policy, measures on price inflation and disaster prevention. Recognizing his responsibility and not clinging to his position, Ishiba insisted that he would make “a decision” on his presidency in a proper time.

 

His staffs took another way. Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama announced in the JPM that he would step down to take responsibility for the defeat in the election. Other leaders, chief of policy council Itsunori Onodera, chair of general council Shunichi Suzuki and chair of election committee Seiji Kihara also submitted their letters of resignation to Ishiba. “You too?” Ishiba reportedly murmured when he received them. Final decision of their resignation will be made by Ishiba.

 

The LDP entered official process to consider whether it would have an early presidential election. LDP lawmakers and local branches will submit their requests of an early presidential election by September 8. If the party receives majority request of 172 or more, the presidential election will be held. A heavyweight in the LDP, Taro Aso, announced that he would demand an early presidential election.

 

Polls of news organization showed that majority think Ishiba’s resignation unnecessary. As anti-Ishiba movements spread in the LDP, difference between anti-Ishiba powers in the party and public opinion is widening. Even if the LDP replaces the president, it is not sure whether the party can restore the power to lead an administration with minority government.

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