Candidates running in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election in Japan are showing differing opinions on the timing of the dissolution of the House of Representatives (lower house). Depending on which candidate is elected in the LDP leadership election on the 27th to choose Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's successor, the timing of an early general election through the dissolution of the House of Representatives is expected to vary significantly.
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, one of Japan's next prime minister candidates, attended the presidential candidate opinion presentation held at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on the 12th. / Photo by Yonhap News
Shinjiro Koizumi, a leading candidate and former Minister of the Environment, appeared on the public broadcaster NHK's debate program "Sunday Debate" on the 15th and stated regarding the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the timing of the general election, "(If elected as party leader) I will dissolve it as early as possible."
Koizumi, who has been competing for first place in recent public opinion polls alongside former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, has expressed his intention to hold an early general election through the dissolution of the House of Representatives since his candidacy announcement on the 6th.
In Japan, the Prime Minister has the authority to dissolve the House of Representatives. This method is often used to create a turning point in national governance by holding an early general election. The current term of the House of Representatives lasts until October next year.
However, former Secretary-General Ishiba responded to Koizumi's opinion by saying, "The sovereign is the people, so is it that you want to decide arbitrarily based only on the LDP's circumstances?" and added, "There needs to be sufficient discussion with the opposition parties in the Diet." At a candidate debate the previous day, he also mentioned the need for discussions between the ruling and opposition parties in the Diet, saying, "It is the government's responsibility and the new Prime Minister's responsibility to provide the public with materials for judgment."
Other candidates also showed varying degrees of support for an early dissolution of the House of Representatives on NHK's Sunday Debate. Sanae Takaichi, Minister in charge of Economic Security, said, "With one year left in the House of Representatives' term, it will be dissolved at an appropriate time." Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said, "There needs to be a rationale for dissolution," adding, "If necessary, it will be done in a form that allows people to understand what the new administration intends to do."
If former Minister of the Environment Koizumi, who strongly advocates for an early general election in this LDP leadership election, is elected, the election could be held as early as next month. On the other hand, if other candidates such as former Secretary-General Ishiba, who emphasize sufficient discussion, are chosen, the timing is expected to be considerably delayed.
The Yomiuri Shimbun analyzed, "If candidate Koizumi wins, it is expected that he will be appointed Prime Minister at the extraordinary Diet session convened on October 1, make party and cabinet appointments, and dissolve the House of Representatives as early as October 9," adding, "If another candidate is elected, the dissolution timing may be postponed." It also suggested possible voting dates that could be considered if Koizumi is elected, including the 27th of this month, November 3, and November 10.
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