Resignation Calls Surge Within Party Amid Similar Situation
Support Rate in 20% Range Ahead of LDP Leadership Election in September
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is facing a crisis of stepping down due to low approval ratings, and there is an analysis that U.S. President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race could further increase pressure on Kishida's position.
On the 23rd, Japan's Jiji Press reported, "There are many voices pointing out the similarities in the political situations faced by President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida," and "Biden's decision to withdraw has brought winds of change to Japanese politics." This highlights the fact that just as Biden faced demands to resign within his party ahead of the November U.S. presidential election, Kishida is facing a crisis of stepping down due to low approval ratings ahead of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election in September.
Despite the LDP leadership election being about two months away, Kishida's approval rating has not risen above the 20% range. The aftermath of the LDP slush fund scandal that erupted at the end of last year has not been resolved. The approval ratings for the cabinet led by Kishida remained in the 20% range according to public opinion polls released on the 22nd by the conservative-leaning major daily Yomiuri Shimbun, the progressive-leaning major media Asahi Shimbun, and the conservative Sankei Shimbun. Earlier this month, a Jiji Press interview poll recorded an all-time low approval rating of 15.5%.
Nevertheless, Kishida has not wavered in his intention to run for the party leadership election, increasing contact with party members by attending meetings such as last month's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and gatherings of the House of Representatives. As a result, voices within the LDP urging Kishida not to run are growing louder. Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga publicly criticized him last month on the online program of the magazine "Bungeishunju," saying, "(Kishida) himself has factional problems but is not taking responsibility," and "There is a growing sense of crisis that the administration will be replaced if things continue like this." This situation is similar to Biden, who faced pressure to resign from within the Democratic Party and even from close aides after his defeat in the presidential TV debate.
Concerns have also been raised that Biden's withdrawal from the candidacy could create gaps in the U.S.-Japan alliance during the remaining three months until the November election. Nihon Keizai Shimbun pointed out, "Within the Japanese government, there is anxiety that the Biden administration's lame-duck status might affect decision-making," and "China and Russia may attempt to exploit any gaps."
Meanwhile, Kishida stated yesterday regarding Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, "I believe President Biden made the best political judgment," and "The Japan-U.S. alliance is, needless to say, the core of our country's diplomacy and security policy, so we will closely monitor related (election) developments."
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