Japanese PM Ishiba Takes Responsibility for Election Loss, But Will Stay in Office

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed to remain in office on July 21 after his ruling coalition suffered a bruising defeat in Upper House elections, prompting some of his own party to deliberate his future as the opposition weighed a no-confidence motion.

- 

The embattled Premier told a news conference he would remain in office to oversee tariff talks with the US and other pressing matters such as rising consumer prices that are straining the world's fourth-largest economy.

"I will stay in office and do everything in my power to chart a path towards resolving these challenges," Mr. Ishiba said, adding that he intended to speak directly to US President Donald Trump as soon as possible and deliver tangible results.

The 68-year-old veteran Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker also acknowledged his "heavy responsibility" for the election outcome, but said he would fulfill his responsibility for the people who made the LDP the largest force in Parliament.

Mr. Ishiba said he has no plans to change the LDP's leadership in the wake of the election setback. But he added that he would consider whether to reshuffle the line-up of LDP executives when their current terms end in September, as well as a revamp of his Cabinet.

Analysts say his days may be numbered, having also lost control of the more powerful Lower House in elections in 2024, and shedding votes on July 20 to opposition parties pledging to cut taxes and tighten immigration policies.

"The political situation has become fluid and could lead to a leadership change or the reshuffling of the coalition in the coming months, but Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will likely stay to complete the tariff negotiations with the US for now," said Oxford Economics lead Japan economist Norihiro Yamaguchi.