Key Facts
• August 3, 2025: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Kochi Prefecture held a review meeting.
• The meeting followed the defeat of the party’s candidate in the Tokushima-Kochi constituency.
• July 21, 2025: Six LDP officials issued a joint statement urging Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign.
• Vice Chairman Masanao Ozaki clarified the statement was not an official party decision.
• Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, also LDP Kochi Chair, confirmed the statement lacked formal approval.
• Ozaki explained the statement was prompted by Ishiba’s early announcement to continue as PM.
• Approximately 150 LDP members attended the meeting, including local branch officials.
• Opinions among attendees varied, with some supporting the resignation demand and others opposing it.
• Nakatani expressed continued support for Ishiba’s administration despite differing views.
• The meeting emphasized unity and organizational rebuilding within the Kochi Prefecture LDP.
Summary
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Kochi Prefecture convened a review meeting on August 3, 2025, following the defeat of its candidate in the Tokushima-Kochi constituency during the Upper House election. A joint statement by six LDP officials on July 21, urging Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign, was clarified as not being an official party decision. Vice Chairman Masanao Ozaki explained the statement was a response to Ishiba’s early announcement to continue as PM, which was perceived as disregarding public sentiment. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, also the LDP Kochi Chair, confirmed the statement lacked formal approval and reiterated his support for Ishiba’s administration. Approximately 150 members attended the meeting, where opinions on the resignation demand were divided. The meeting concluded with a commitment to organizational rebuilding and unity within the Kochi Prefecture LDP.
