Locations Affected: Japan
The Japanese parliament has re-elected Prime Minister (PM) Shigeru Ishiba after he defeated opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda during a special parliamentary session on 11 November. The rare run-off vote was held after the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner, Komeito, lost their parliamentary majority in the general election held on 27 October. Ishiba was initially elected prime minister on 01 October, after former PM Fumio Kishida resigned in September amid political and corruption scandals.
PM Ishiba’s plans following re-election
- shiba has reappointed most of the previous Cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, but he had to replace three ministers who either lost their seats or were affected by the election results.
- He has pledged to take tougher measures against the misuse of political funds, as the LDP’s loss in the general election was mostly attributed to voter outrage over allegations of financial misconduct within the party.
- Ishiba plans to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and G20 summits in November to strengthen partnerships with nations in the Asia-Pacific and Global South regions. There are also reports of his government attempting to arrange a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump.
Potential impact on domestic and international relations
Ishiba’s election as Prime Minister after the general election loss makes him one of Japan’s weakest leaders in recent decades. Ishiba is expected to face significant challenges amid rising regional tensions and economic uncertainty. He is also likely to encounter resistance from opposition parties regarding the approval of economic measures, the budget, and other legislative matters. Ishiba has expressed a willingness to collaborate with other coalition partners to ensure a stable government. The LDP is seeking to form a coalition with the conservative Democratic Party for the People (DPP). However, DPP leader Yuichiro Tamaki has stated that the party would only cooperate with the LDP on policy matters, not as part of a coalition. Ishiba is expected to bolster defence measures against threats from China, Russia, and North Korea and strengthen cooperation with the United States. Protests by opposition parties and civilian groups are a possibility following PM Ishiba’s re-election. Organizations are advised to stay informed about the situation and prepare necessary contingency plans.
