Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who suffered a crushing defeat in the House of Representatives election (general election) held about a month after taking office, stated that he had "been judged very harshly" and announced plans to pursue political reform going forward. Amid speculation both inside and outside the party about an early replacement of Prime Minister Ishiba, he also said that at this point he is not considering a coalition government.
At a press conference held at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters on the afternoon of the 28th, Ishiba said, "I will reflect deeply and be reborn." In the House of Representatives election held the previous day, the ruling LDP secured 191 seats and its coalition partner Komeito won 24 seats, failing to achieve a majority of 233 seats either alone or as a coalition. The LDP’s seat count dropped by 56, marking its worst result, and Prime Minister Ishiba, who had gambled on an early general election, is now facing calls for accountability. This is the first time in 15 years that the coalition has failed to secure a majority.
Ishiba said he accepts the election results as a public demand to hasten political reform. He emphasized, "In response to the voice of the people, we will avoid political stagnation and prioritize political reform, economic reform, and other tasks." Ishiba, whose support base within the party is weak, had initially planned to nominate lawmakers involved in a 'slush fund scandal' as part of an effort to embrace opposition factions, but excluded them from candidacy after public opinion worsened. However, the already deteriorated public sentiment did not recover, and controversies such as the payment of party activity expenses poured in, ultimately hampering both the LDP and Prime Minister Ishiba.
Regarding this, Ishiba stressed that "we will undertake more fundamental reforms concerning politics and money," and said he would initiate cross-party discussions on abolishing policy activity expenses, disclosing the use of research and publicity funds, and establishing a third-party agency at an early stage. He also said he would "promptly decide on a successor" to Shinjiro Koizumi, the LDP election campaign chairman who resigned to take responsibility for the election results.
Having failed to secure a parliamentary majority, Prime Minister Ishiba is expected to either expand the coalition by courting other opposition parties or maintain a system of cooperation with some opposition parties on a case-by-case basis. However, this path is also expected to be thorny. The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, which significantly increased its seats from 98 to 148 in this election, has clearly stated it will not form an alliance with the ruling party. There are concerns that constitutional amendments pushed by the LDP and the establishment of an Asia-Pacific version of NATO, advocated by Ishiba, will lose momentum.
Ishiba explained, "There is a party that has greatly increased its seats. We must fully recognize what claims that party made in the election and what the public sympathized with. We will actively introduce reforms in areas where our policies are lacking or need correction." Regarding the framework for future government administration, he was cautious, saying, "At this point, I am not considering a coalition government."
In addition, ahead of the U.S. presidential election next month, Ishiba responded on U.S.-Japan relations, saying, "Regardless of which candidate wins, we will maintain the currently very favorable U.S.-Japan relationship and work together to strengthen a free and open international order."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
