Following Prime Minister Ishiba’s announcement to continue in his role, there is growing pressure within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for his resignation. Party leaders are concerned that a full-scale effort to oust Ishiba could lead to political instability, yet there are strong criticisms suggesting that holding onto his position might further alienate his supporters.
Kobayashi, who competed against Ishiba in last year’s leadership contest, expressed to reporters that Ishiba needs to take responsibility for the party’s losses in two elections, including the House of Representatives election.
There are criticisms within the party that Ishiba’s decision to stay is misguided and indicative of a “can’t-let-go-of-power” mentality. Senior figures like Aso and Motegi discussed the growing dissatisfaction within the party, recognizing that lack of accountability would increase criticism. Hayashi met with close allies to discuss the current party situation, highlighting the tensions within the party.
Despite these criticisms, a significant movement to remove Ishiba is not yet underway, partly due to a desire to avoid a messy intra-party conflict during a challenging period and concerns about disrupting negotiations with the U.S.
There is a belief that Ishiba’s administration may become untenable, and some members express hesitance to be the first to openly challenge him. However, there is a rising sense of urgency within the party to avoid being abandoned by the public. Historically, prime ministers such as Mori and Aso have been ousted by the party. The LDP has a “recall provision” allowing for an early leadership contest if over half of the party’s national lawmakers and prefectural representatives demand it, leading some to suggest using this provision if Ishiba remains resistant to stepping down.
by MagazineKey4532