Shigeru Ishiba, leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was reelected as the country’s prime minister on Monday after securing the most votes in both houses of the Japanese Diet.
The Diet convened an extraordinary session to choose the prime minister following the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito losing their long-held majority in last month’s general election. The election marked a significant shift in Japan’s political landscape, reflecting the public’s growing frustration over rising inflation and recent government scandals.
In the runoff voting in the House of Representatives, the 67-year-old Ishiba received 221 votes, outperforming Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the major opposition Constitutional Democratic Party. Despite falling short of the 233 majority threshold needed for an outright majority, Ishiba’s victory marks his reelection as the nation’s 103rd prime minister.
He is set to be formally inaugurated later today at a ceremony at the Imperial Palace and will address the nation in a press conference this evening. Ishiba faces the immediate challenge of navigating a fractured parliament and rebuilding confidence amid a shifting political climate.
Ishiba initially took office as the 102nd prime minister in early October and promptly called a snap election aiming to solidify his position. However, the strategy backfired as the ruling bloc suffered its worst performance since 2009. Voters, dissatisfied with economic issues and a slush fund scandal, reduced the LDP and Komeito’s representation to 215 out of 465 seats in the powerful chamber—below the 233 seats needed for a majority. The LDP alone won 191 seats, a significant drop from the 247 seats it previously held.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party capitalized on the electorate’s discontent, increasing its representation from 98 to 148 seats. This surge signifies a critical juncture in Japanese politics, as opposition parties gain momentum against the long-dominant LDP.
As Japan grapples with economic challenges and seeks to restore public trust, Ishiba’s leadership and ability to collaborate across party lines will be under close scrutiny. Observers are keen to see how he will address the pressing issues and steer the country towards stability and growth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
