Key Facts
• August 30: LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama spoke at a national policy meeting in Kanoya City.
• LDP faced major defeats in the 2024 Lower House election, Tokyo Assembly election, and Upper House election.
• Moriyama admitted responsibility as Secretary-General and emphasized the need for party rebuilding.
• Internal pressure mounts for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign, despite rising cabinet approval ratings.
• Moriyama highlighted the gap between public opinion and party sentiment as a significant concern.
• He stressed the importance of engaging with public opinion as a core principle of a national party.
• LDP plans to review the Upper House election results at a joint plenary session on September 2.
• Moriyama hinted at the possibility of resigning after the election review.
Summary
Hiroshi Moriyama, Secretary-General of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), addressed the party’s recent electoral setbacks during a policy meeting in Kanoya City on August 30. Acknowledging responsibility for the defeats in the 2024 Lower House election, Tokyo Assembly election, and Upper House election, Moriyama emphasized the need for strategic rebuilding. Amid growing internal calls for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation, Moriyama expressed concern over the disconnect between public and party opinions, despite rising cabinet approval ratings. He underscored the importance of engaging with public sentiment as a fundamental duty of a national party. The LDP is set to review the Upper House election results on September 2, with Moriyama suggesting he may step down following the review.
