Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has made a bold move by calling for a snap election just 26 days after his administration began. Despite facing challenges due to the recent political funding scandal, Ishiba believes he can secure victory in a quick battle, thanks to his high initial approval ratings.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has a track record of success in snap elections shortly after a new prime minister takes office. In the most recent lower house election in 2021, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida scheduled the voting date just 27 days after his administration began, which was earlier than expected. The result was an LDP victory.
However, not all previous attempts have been successful for the LDP. When Taro Aso became prime minister in September 2008, he misjudged the timing of dissolving the lower house and was forced to do so right before its members’ terms expired. This led to a landslide defeat for the LDP.
Despite these past experiences, Ishiba seems confident in his decision to call for an early election. Opposition parties have criticized him, suggesting that he dissolved the lower house quickly to avoid scrutiny over the political funding scandal during Diet debates.
Yoshihiko Noda, president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, accused Ishiba of using this tactic as “a blatant action to cover up the issue of slush funds.”
As Japan prepares for this snap election and with various factors at play including public opinion and party strategies it remains uncertain what outcome will emerge from this political gamble taken by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.