LDP lawmakers meet to discuss Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba's fate

NHK

2 days ago

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has told lawmakers of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party that he intends to remain in his post despite the party's setback in the Upper House election last month. But many lawmakers called for an early party leadership election.
Ishiba, who is president of the LDP, spoke on Friday at the party's official decision-making body -- the Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet. The meeting lasted about two hours, as scheduled.
Ishiba apologized at the outset for the LDP's poor showing in the election, but he reiterated his intention to stay on.
Ishiba said: "Tariff negotiations with the United States have resulted in an agreement, but there are many problems involved in implementing the deal. I wish to do my utmost to ease the anxieties of people in various industries as much as possible."
He suggested that agricultural policy and disaster preparedness are also issues that need to be addressed. He asked the lawmakers to give their views so that he can continue to serve the nation responsibly.
LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi said a party committee launched last week to analyze the reasons for the election loss is interviewing candidates and experts. He said the committee aims to compile a report by around the end of August and will present its findings at that time.
Moriyama said the LDP is not a party that represents a particular class or interest, but a people's party that is rooted in the stance of the general public. He said the party should work as one, bearing in mind its long tradition and responsibilities.
The rest of the meeting was held behind closed doors. Participants say some lawmakers called for unity under Ishiba. But they revealed that many others asked for the party's leadership election to be brought forward.
Ishiba met reporters on Friday after he reiterated his intention to stay in his post at a meeting of the LDP's official decision-making body, called the Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet.
The meeting was held to discuss the party's setback in the Upper House election in July.
Ishiba said he will value the lawmakers' opinions, and take into account the ongoing review of the election.
He said the government has reached an agreement with the United States in tariff negotiations, but many topics need to be worked out.
He said a huge number of items are exported to the US, and the tariff measures are a matter of life and death for Japanese businesses.
He added that the government and the LDP have the responsibility to set the course and ease the concerns of various business sectors.
As for calls to move up the schedule for an LDP leadership election, Ishiba said it will be held in accordance with the party's rules and he has nothing to say about the matter.
Asked whether he intends to reshuffle the Cabinet or the LDP leadership team next month, he said he has no plan to do so at present, adding that he always focuses on what is best for the country and the people.