At a press conference on the 21st, Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister and leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, addressed his past criticism of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to stay in office after the 2007 House of Councillors election. During that election, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito lost their majority in the House. Ishiba explained that he had felt it necessary for Abe to explain his reasons for continuing as leader.
In the recent election held on the 20th, the coalition similarly failed to secure a majority. Ishiba recalled his remarks during a joint meeting of party members back in 2007, stating, “When Abe announced his intention to stay on, I said, ‘It is necessary to explain why he is staying and to gain not only our members’ understanding but also that of the public.’ I remember this clearly and am speaking with that in mind today.”
by MagazineKey4532