Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has made a significant change to the Liberal Democratic Party‘s (LDP) plan to endorse scandal-embroiled members in the upcoming House of Representatives election. Ishiba announced on Sunday that these members will be allowed to run for single-seat constituencies, but not under the proportional representation system. This decision comes after facing strong criticism from both the public and within the party itself.
Ishiba stated, “As long as we are taking this approach with our party members, the four party executives and I will also not seek double candidacy. We will fulfill our responsibilities together.” He made this announcement after discussing election matters with Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama, Election Strategy Committee Chairperson Shinjiro Koizumi, and others.
Initially, Ishiba and the party leadership were considering endorsing these scandal-tainted members in principle and were working out details such as dual candidacy. However, this policy faced dissatisfaction within the party due to negative public reaction. A recent secret survey on the upcoming election situation also yielded unfavorable results.
Realizing that tough decisions were necessary, Ishiba decided to collectively bar all members in question from running under the proportional representation system regardless of their punishment. Former LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chairperson Tsuyoshi Takagi and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairperson Koichi Hagiuda are among those unlikely to be endorsed.
The LDP leadership is concerned about falling short on proportional representation candidates and is trying to increase their numbers. Up to 37 lawmakers may not be included in the list along with five party executives.
While some voices within the LDP hope that Ishiba’s decision will change things for them despite strong opposition from constituencies, others see it as a complete cutoff by his administration. Some disgruntled former Cabinet ministers who are unlikely to receive endorsements feel betrayed by Ishiba’s decision.
Takagi has expressed his intention to run as an independent candidate following this strict decision but remains determined in his political activities moving forward.