The election chief of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Shinjiro Koizumi, has tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba following the party’s significant losses in the recent general election, local media reported on Monday.
Koizumi, a prominent figure within the LDP, stated that he wanted to “take responsibility” for the party’s poor performance, which marked its worst electoral result since 2009. “I must accept the verdict of the people and step aside to allow for new leadership,” he was quoted as saying.
In Sunday’s election, the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito secured a total of 215 seats in the 465-member lower house of parliament. This number falls short of the 233 seats needed to maintain a simple majority, signaling a significant setback for the ruling coalition. The LDP alone won 191 seats, a sharp decline from the 247 seats it held prior to the election.
The surprising results reflect growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s policies and leadership. Analysts suggest that key issues such as economic stagnation and pandemic response may have influenced voters’ decisions.
Adding to the political upheaval, Komeito leader Keiichi Ishii also hinted at the possibility of his resignation in the wake of the election results, according to a report by Fuji News Network on Monday. “We must listen to the voices of the people and consider the future direction of our party,” Ishii reportedly said.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who assumed office earlier this year, now faces the challenge of rebuilding the ruling coalition’s standing and addressing the concerns that led to the election outcome. The resignations of key party leaders like Koizumi and potential departures like Ishii’s may signal a period of significant change within Japanese politics.
The opposition parties, capitalizing on public discontent, made substantial gains, though no single party achieved a majority. The fragmented parliamentary landscape may lead to complex coalition negotiations in the coming weeks.
As Japan navigates this political shift, observers are watching closely to see how the government will respond to the electorate’s call for change and how it will impact Japan’s policy direction both domestically and on the international stage.
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Election chief of Japan's LDP resigns after party's poll drubbing
cgtn.com
