Pressure mounts on PM Ishiba to resign after LDP’s election setback

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is facing intensifying calls from within his own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to step down, following the ruling coalition’s significant setback in the recent House of Councillors election, according to Kyodo News.

Despite the mounting pressure, Ishiba has insisted he will remain in office, citing the need to lead the country through what he described as a “national crisis” and to prevent political deadlock. However, his position appears increasingly fragile after the coalition lost control of both parliamentary chambers.

Hiroshi Yamada, an LDP upper house member, posted on social media that “the prime minister should take responsibility for the crushing defeat.”

Similarly, Eikei Suzuki, a member of the House of Representatives, wrote on X, “I cannot help but say that he is playing down the election outcome… he should make up his mind quickly.”

The LDP and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, now hold a combined 122 seats in the 248-member upper house — three short of a simple majority, and well below their intended target.

At a press conference on Monday, Ishiba acknowledged feeling a “heavy responsibility” for the loss but argued that his position must be upheld to respect the mandate given to the LDP, which remains the largest party in parliament.

He also pointed to ongoing negotiations with the United States regarding President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff increases as another reason for not relinquishing his post.

Despite his assertions, uncertainty continues to swirl over Ishiba’s leadership, with public discontent mounting over his government's handling of rising inflation.

The LDP is expected to convene a meeting of members from both houses on 31 July to examine the election outcome and determine whether Ishiba should remain as leader.

Seiji Kihara, the party’s election chief, told a television programme on Monday that he would decide whether to stay in his role “at the right time” after fully assessing the election results.

For now, Ishiba has opted to maintain the current slate of party executives, though he has left open the possibility of a reshuffle when their terms conclude in September.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Taro Kono — a vocal internal critic and past challenger in the party leadership race — has renewed his demand for accountability, calling on LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama to step down.

“If the prime minister is staying on for the tariff negotiations, then Secretary General Moriyama should tender his resignation to take the blame for the election result,” Kono stated during a television appearance on Tuesday. - July 22, 2025