Key Facts
• Veteran lawmakers in Ishiba’s faction push for early leadership election.
• Former General Council Chair Toshiaki Endo met with 8 lawmakers on September 4.
• Endo stated Ishiba should take responsibility for election losses.
• Endo plans to request early election during September 8 confirmation process.
• Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa opposes early election, citing policy priorities.
• Internal party negotiations expected to escalate after September 5.
Summary
Veteran lawmakers in Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), aligned with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, are advocating for an early leadership election before Ishiba’s term ends. On September 4, Toshiaki Endo, a senior LDP member and former General Council Chair, met with eight lawmakers, emphasizing that Ishiba should take responsibility for recent election losses. Endo indicated he would formally request an early election during the September 8 confirmation process if Ishiba does not resign. However, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa, a close ally of Ishiba, argued against the need for an early election, stressing the importance of continuing policy initiatives. The debate over the leadership election is expected to intensify within the LDP in the coming days.
