Ishiba says he will not cling to PM post for sake of power

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he had no intention of simply clinging to his post for the sake of power, as ruling party lawmakers weigh whether to call for an early leadership election to oust the beleaguered Prime Minister.

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TOKYO -

"I will accept any criticism, but it is also my responsibility to see things through for the party," Mr Ishiba said on Sept 2 at the opening of a plenary meeting to discuss an election setback that saw the ruling coalition lose control of the Upper House.

Mr Ishiba has repeated his intention to stay on despite calls within his party to see him go.

The toned-down remarks on Sept 2 highlight the delicate balancing act of steering a party while some are frustrated with his leadership, even as his approval rating rises in public opinion polls.

In his remarks, Mr Ishiba apologised for the many seats the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost in July, but also spoke of the need to push through economic policies and connect with the public.

"We need to show the path towards achieving wage growth that exceeds inflation," Mr Ishiba said, adding that he also must see through the economic challenges that remain, including trade talks with the US.

The ruling party finalised on Sept 2 a report on why it lost seats in the Upper House election.