Prime Minister Ishiba Steps Down

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Sunday September 7th that he would step down to take responsibility of defeat of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the Upper House election in July. The LDP is going to have a presidential election to choose next president, in other words prime minister. Ishiba sought to stay, but could not reject pressure from LDP colleagues who demanded resignation. 

Ishiba abruptly had a press conference in Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Sunday evening to deliver his decision. Having settled a deal on tariffs with the United States, Ishiba told he would make his position open to his successor. “I could not meet expectation of the people to me. It is my responsibility to have lost our colleagues in the election,” said Ishiba. He made clear that he would not run for next LDP presidential election.

 

The LDP decided in a Joint Plenary Meeting on September 2nd to receive request for a presidential election on Monday September 8th. According to research of news organizations, the number of lawmakers and local branches that would request early presidential election surpassed who did not want it. Ishiba thought that the LDP would be seriously divided, if the requests would be submitted to the party. The Sunday was the last chance for Ishiba to make an honorable retreat.

 

It seems to be Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shinjiro Koizumi, who demanded the decision of Ishiba. Koizumi, with attendance of former prime minister Yoshihide Suga, had a meeting with Ishiba on Saturday night. Koizumi insisted that Ishiba should avoid a showdown on having early presidential election, because it would divide the party. Koizumi has been putting priority on evading the division in his recent remarks as a minister of Ishiba Cabinet.

 

Former LDP Secretary General, Toshimitsu Motegi, announced his willingness to run for next LDP president. Mainichi Shimbun reported that the LDP presidential race would be led by Koziumi and former Minister for Economic Security, Sanae Takaichi. It predicted that Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and former Minister for Economic Security, Takayuki Kobayashi will possibly follow them. The presidential election will supposedly be held in early October.

 

It has been strange that most people, especially supporters for LDP, thought that Ishiba did not have to resign in the polls, attributing defeat in the Upper House election to lawmakers involved in LDP slush fund scandal. Encouraged by those public opinion, Ishiba tried to maintain his Cabinet, focusing on implementing policies unsolved. But he could not settle down anti-Ishiba movement in the party. Next LDP president, or prime minister, will not only have to manage minority government in both Houses of the Diet, but face public opinion that was tired of old-type power struggle in the LDP to replace a weak leader.

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