Japanese Next Prime Minister Ishiba "Dissolution of National Assembly Within the Year"... November 10 General Election Proposal Emerges

Lower House Early Dissolution Under Review
TV Program States "Hard to Assert, but Dissolution Within the Year Is Common Sense"
Japanese Newspapers Report "November Election Talk Rising Within the Party"

Shigeru Ishiba, the newly elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the next Prime Minister of Japan, is reportedly considering an early dissolution of the House of Representatives (lower house), with the possibility of holding a general election on November 10, according to local Japanese media on the 28th.

Shigeru Ishiba, the new president of the Liberal Democratic Party
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding the early dissolution of the House of Representatives, Chairman Ishiba expressed the view that it is appropriate to make a statement of conviction at the plenary session of the Diet, followed by questions from party leaders and discussions in the Budget Committee before proceeding. At a press conference held the day after his election, he acknowledged the necessity of an early dissolution, saying, "I want to be judged after debates with the opposition parties. We must have the people's judgment as soon as possible," but he did not specify a timeline. However, on the same day during a TV program, when asked whether the House of Representatives would be dissolved within the year, he replied, "I won't say definitively, but considering the usual course, it is common sense that it would be so."

The Sankei Shimbun commented that "there is a strong voice within the LDP favoring an early dissolution," and if the election is held at the earliest possible date, October 27 could be the voting day. However, if Chairman Ishiba follows his usual stance and dissolves the House of Representatives after discussions in the Budget Committee, the dissolution could be declared in late next month with the election held on November 10, the paper added.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) also reported that "an election on October 27 may be difficult as the Budget Committee and others will be held in the Diet until mid-October," and that dates such as November 10 or November 24 are being discussed within the party. Nikkei pointed out that "the timing of the dissolution is likely to be influenced by whether the LDP’s support rate, which had been low at around 20%, improves to some extent," and noted that "for the time being, dispelling political distrust that has spread due to political funding issues will be a key challenge."

Meanwhile, Kyodo News reported that Chairman Ishiba has begun appointing key LDP positions and cabinet members ahead of the new government’s launch. It is speculated that Takeshi Iwaya, former Defense Minister who played a central role in the Ishiba campaign during the election period; Ryosei Akazawa, Vice Minister of Finance; and Kazuhiko Aoki, former Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, will be appointed to important posts, Kyodo added. Furthermore, treatment of election candidates such as Sanae Takaichi, Minister in charge of Economic Security who lost to Chairman Ishiba in the runoff vote between two candidates, is expected to be a focus of personnel decisions. At a press conference the previous day, Chairman Ishiba said about appointments, "It is still a blank slate," and added, "I will ensure that veterans, young people, and various others can maximize their abilities."