Key Facts
• Moriyama, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, announced resignation after election defeat.
• Resignation declared during a joint meeting summarizing the Upper House election results.
• Policy Research Council Chair Onodera also announced resignation, intensifying leadership crisis.
• Party members demand accountability from Ishiba, with calls for leadership change growing.
• Ishiba faces dilemma: retaining Moriyama risks backlash, while losing him weakens governance.
• Internal factions, including “同期会” (同期会), show increasing support for leadership change.
• 8% of second-term lawmakers reportedly back calls for a leadership election.
• Former Ishiba allies shift stance, signaling growing discontent within the administration.
• Decision on leadership election requires majority support from 342 eligible voters.
• Ishiba hints at potential general election if leadership election pressure escalates.
• Public opinion favors Ishiba’s continuation, but party sentiment diverges.
• Leadership election decision expected on September 8, with intense debates ongoing.
Summary
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshihiro Moriyama announced his intention to resign, citing responsibility for the party’s defeat in the Upper House election. This decision, alongside the resignation of Policy Research Council Chair Itsunori Onodera, has triggered a leadership crisis for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. While Ishiba values Moriyama’s negotiation skills, retaining him risks internal backlash, with growing calls for a leadership election. Internal factions, including second-term lawmakers and former Ishiba allies, are increasingly supporting leadership change. Ishiba has hinted at a potential general election if pressure for a leadership vote intensifies. The decision on whether to hold a leadership election will be made on September 8, as debates within the party escalate.
