EDITORIAL | LDP Election Loss Calls for Ishiba Resignation

At an October 28th press conference, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his desire to continue leading the government. However, Ishiba, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), should accept responsibility by gracefully resigning.

The Prime Minister had just suffered a devastating defeat in Sunday's Lower House election. It defies belief that he is trying to cling to power. He should take responsibility for the crushing defeat suffered by the ruling LDP and its partner Komeito. They did not even attain the bare majority he himself set as the desired outcome for the election. 

The LDP did manage to retain its status as Japan's largest political party. Understandably, it should aim to form a government together with its coalition partner the Komeito. But that would be impossible under Ishiba, who is president of the party. He has lost the trust of the Japanese people. 

The best outcome would be for the LDP to hold another leadership election as soon as possible. A new LDP leader and executive team should then negotiate with other parties to form a coalition government.

Is the Prime Minister Truly Remorseful?

At the October 28 press conference, PM Ishiba said he would "accept the verdict of the Lower House election seriously and take it to heart." 

Yet, despite those fine words, he repeatedly stated that "stagnation in national politics cannot be tolerated." He also declared, "It is our responsibility to ensure that nothing is neglected in terms of national security, people's livelihoods, and disaster response."

Such statements do not exude remorse. The general election clearly showed that the electorate does not want to entrust the nation's affairs to PM Ishiba. Why does he still fail to comprehend this simple fact? 

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It would be naive and undemocratic for a leader who ignores the judgment rendered by voters to think he can gain public support to stay in power. All LDP Diet members should realize that PM Ishiba's continued tenure itself will invite stagnation in national politics.

Shinjiro Koizumi Sets an Example

On October 28, LDP election campaign committee chairman Shinjiro Koizumi resigned. As he did so, he said, "I take responsibility for the results of the election."

He also commented on his own future. Koizumi said, "I think there is a tremendous sense of distrust in the LDP for having failed to achieve its goals and refusing to take responsibility."

That can be said to apply especially to Prime Minister Ishiba and LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama. 

Yoshitaka Sakurada, chairman of the LDP's Chiba prefectural chapter and former Minister of Olympics and Paralympics, echoed Koizumi's remarks. Sakurada said, "We lost so many Diet seats. Someone needs to take responsibility." 

Moreover, he urged the Prime Minister and the executives he appointed to step down as soon as possible. That view is in line with national sentiment. 

Reflecting on Ishiba's Own Words

The LDP suffered a major defeat in the Upper House (House of Councillors) election during the first Abe Cabinet. That defeat resulted in a "divided Diet," yet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe refused to step down. Ishiba castigated him. 

During a meeting of the LDP's general council, Ishiba castigated Abe. Lambasting him, he said, "Prime Minister you said: '[The election] is a choice between me and Ichiro Ozawa, the leader of the Democratic Party.' So how do you explain this defeat?"

Then at a meeting of LDP Diet members, he again attacked Abe, saying: "The Prime Minister says he will 'reflect on what he should reflect on.' But I want him to make clear what he is reflecting on and how he expects to change."

We would now put the same questions to Prime Minister Ishiba. 

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At Monday's press conference, he declared, "The LDP must reflect on its actions from the bottom of its heart and be reborn." But, as leader of that same party, he should be the first to take responsibility.

And His Own Deeds

Ishiba also served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries during the Taro Aso administration. During that time, in effect, Ishiba forced Aso to resign as prime minister.

If there is no consistency now with his past words and actions, then Prime Minister Ishiba will not be able to win the trust of others. His words will be rejected as totally lightweight. 

Strict with others but lenient with themselves, while disregarding the verdict of the sovereign electorate. There is no trace of humility in such a stance. 

Under these circumstances, can the ruling party even be sure of winning the official vote for prime minister in the upcoming extraordinary session of the Diet? Moreover, even if the LDP wins that vote, Ishiba will continue to face calls for his resignation within the LDP. His influence as a leader only continues to decline. It raises many questions about how he could ever run a stable administration. 

Secretary-General Moriyama's Heavy Responsibility

LDP secretary-general Moriyama also shares heavy responsibility for the election debacle. In the final stages of the election campaign, it was disclosed that the LDP had paid ¥20 million JPY ($131,000 USD) in campaign funds to a party branch headed by a candidate it had not endorsed. That further fueled criticism concerning "politics and money." 

Ishiba then claimed that the money "was not for use in the election." But that explanation was far from convincing. Reports said Moriyama was responsible for directing this questionable payment. 

It was also Moriyama who, after Ishiba became Prime Minister, urged that the Diet be dissolved early, without holding a budget committee meeting during the extraordinary Diet session. Ishiba and Moriyama intended to use the general election as a means to gain the upper hand in LDP intraparty politics. However, their plans ended up going frightfully awry.

The ruling parties are now preparing to convene a special Diet session on November 11. At that time they plan to hold an election to nominate a prime minister. Article 54 of the Constitution requires the Diet to convene within 30 days of a House of Representatives election. Although there can be no unnecessary delay, there is still sufficient time in the schedule to hold an LDP presidential election centered on Diet members.

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The LDP must elect a new president and get a fresh start. Unless it does so, it will remain a long way from regaining the trust of the public. Furthermore, it will face harsh judgment from voters in the 2025 House of Councillors election.

For the sake of Japan and the Japanese people, as well as for the sake of the political party he leads, Prime Minister Ishiba must resign immediately. 

RELATED:

• LDP Coalition Loses Majority in Lower House Election for the First Time in 15 Years
• EDITORIAL | After the General Election, Create a Stable Government
• LDP Prefectural Federations Not Pleased With Ishiba's 'Double Punishment'
  
  

(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun