Kishida: "Following Abe, will address difficult issues such as North Korean abductions and constitutional revision... Japan's greatest postwar crisis"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a landslide victory in the House of Councillors (upper house) election, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his intention to address former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's long-standing issues, including the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea and constitutional revision. Prime Minister Kishida emphasized that Japan is facing the "greatest postwar crisis" and pledged to focus on resolving various issues such as the situation in Ukraine and rising prices.

According to NHK and other sources on the 11th, Prime Minister Kishida held a press conference on the afternoon of the day following the House of Councillors election, stating, "It was a fierce election battle, but the voters' evaluation has been revealed," and assessed that the results exceeded the initially targeted number of seats. He added that the election outcome was "not only a vote of confidence in the Kishida Cabinet" and praised the achievements of the Abe administration.

Kishida said, "I will carry on former Prime Minister Abe's ideas. In particular, I will tackle difficult issues that he could not complete himself, such as the (North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens) issue and constitutional revision, to which he devoted great passion." Regarding the constitutional revision, he said, "I expect that in the extraordinary Diet session scheduled for this fall, both ruling and opposition parties will actively discuss the public opinion reflected in this election," and added, "We will proceed to propose it as soon as possible." On defense spending, he stated, "We will fundamentally strengthen it within five years. We will realistically consider all options, including counterattack capabilities, without excluding any choice."

Regarding the impact of the death of former Prime Minister Abe on Japanese politics, which Kishida avoided commenting on immediately after the incident on the 8th, he responded, "Since we lost a great political leader, it cannot be said that there will be no various impacts." On cabinet reshuffles and LDP personnel changes, he said, "Nothing concrete has been decided at this point," emphasizing, "We are facing the greatest postwar crisis, so we must consider government operation in emergencies. I will value party unity and think about it."

Foreign media predicted a cabinet reshuffle and LDP personnel changes around late August or early September based on Kishida's diplomatic schedule, but he avoided specifying a concrete timeline. Foreign media interpreted Kishida's remarks as emphasizing party unity. On the same day, Sankei Shimbun exclusively reported that adjustments are being made to retain LDP Vice President Taro Aso and Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi.

Kishida addressed the sharp rise in prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, saying, "The government will take full responsibility and respond thoroughly," and announced plans to hold a meeting of the "Comprehensive Headquarters for Price, Wage, and Livelihood Measures" within this week. Responding to criticism of the government's measures, he said, "Prices are rising as a result. It is natural for the public to see this as insufficient. The government must accept this," adding, "We are in the greatest crisis since the postwar period. This is not peacetime; so-called emergency government operation is necessary."

Meanwhile, the ruling LDP secured a landslide victory in the House of Councillors election. According to NHK, among the 125 newly elected seats, the ruling coalition won 76 seats (LDP 63 seats, coalition partner Komeito 13 seats). The LDP alone secured a majority of the newly elected seats. Including the ruling party seats (70 seats: LDP 56 seats, Komeito 14 seats) not up for election this time, the coalition already holds 146 seats, surpassing the majority threshold of 125 seats in the entire House of Councillors.