Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has responded to criticism from members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) regarding the decline in support for his Cabinet. In light of this, Kishida has made the decision not to seek reappointment as LDP president in the upcoming September election.
Prior to a press conference held on Wednesday morning, Kishida personally reached out to senior LDP officials to inform them of his intention to step down from the party’s presidential race. This move comes after Kishida dissolved the Kishida faction and implemented revisions to the LDP’s governance code earlier this year, following allegations of violations of the Political Funds Control Law by LDP factions.
In response to a fundraising scandal involving LDP lawmakers, disciplinary action was taken against 39 members of the Abe and Nikai factions. Despite Kishida’s efforts to address these issues and advocate for revisions to the Political Funds Control Law during the regular Diet session, public backlash against the LDP persisted.
The LDP faced losses in three House of Representatives by-elections in April, choosing not to participate in two races and experiencing defeat in one. The party also performed poorly in July’s Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly by-elections. This dissatisfaction among party members and local organizations led many to call for a change in party leadership, believing that without a new leader, victory would be difficult for the LDP in future lower house elections.
Regarding his decision, an aide explained that Kishida felt it was necessary for him take responsibility at some point while waiting for an appropriate moment concerning domestic and foreign policy matters. By announcing his intention to step down, it is likely that Kishida aimed at addressing public mistrust towards the LDP ahead of their presidential election.
Since assuming office as prime minister in October 2021, Kishida has focused on important issues such as Japan’s defense, foreign policy, and economy. However, despite his efforts, both his Cabinet approval ratings and those of the LDP have continued their decline. A top government official commented that “There’s nothing more he can do.”
The upcoming presidential election for the LDP is expected next week.
