Japan PM Ishiba poised to announce resignation by Aug. following dismal election results
Ishiba is expected to have discussions the same day regarding his future with Taro Aso, the party's supreme adviser, Yoshihide Suga, the party's vice president, and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida -- all former prime ministers. However, there is a possibility that the timing of his decision could change due to growing demands for his resignation and criticism from within the party.
Ishiba had initially expressed his intention to stay on as prime minister following the LDP's major setback in the election.
Local organizations in various regions are calling for Ishiba's resignation and a renewal of the party's structure. Additionally, mid-career and junior lawmakers are calling for the convening of a joint plenary meeting of party members of both houses of the Diet, the decision-making gathering next in line to the party convention, to vote on moving up the party leadership election.
In light of these circumstances, the prime minister aims to exchange views with the three former prime ministers, and to seek understanding for his move. It is unusual for an incumbent prime minister to meet with former prime ministers collectively. A government insider commented, "Prime Minister Ishiba is adopting a stance of bowing his head to the three."
The LDP leadership plans to move forward a joint informal meeting of party members of both houses, initially scheduled for July 31, to July 29 to start the election review. After the review is summarized in August, the party's leadership will determine how to take responsibility.
Seiji Kihara, the LDP's election strategy committee chairman, has indicated his intention to resign after the review and summary, and then a decision will also be made on the prime minister's future. A senior government official emphasized, "Once the review is out, the leadership must make a firm decision regarding responsibility."
If Ishiba resigns as prime minister this month, an election to select the next prime minister will be held during an extraordinary Diet session to be convened in August. However, given that the LDP is now part of a minority government, there is no guarantee that the LDP president will be picked as prime minister. To secure time for discussions with opposition parties regarding the prime ministerial nomination, Ishiba is considering announcing his resignation next month or later.
Ishiba had earlier cited Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations as a reason for staying in office. Regarding the effect of a newly announced accord on tariffs, he told reporters at the prime minister's office, "I cannot comment without thoroughly examining the content of the agreement."
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