Intensifying Disapproval Towards Ishiba as Associates Voice Demand for Immediate LDP Leadership Election

LDP Members Call for Early Leadership Vote Amidst Political Turmoil

In a notable development within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), several key members have called for an early leadership race following the party's setback in the July 20 House of Councillors election.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who took office in October 2024, has faced growing backlash over his failure to take responsibility for the election loss. Multiple cabinet members, including Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki and a deputy of Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, have declared their support for an early LDP leadership race.

Former industry minister Ken Saito, a former member of an intra-party faction led by Ishiba, urged the Prime Minister to step down voluntarily to avoid discord within the LDP. Saito's call was echoed by Taro Aso, the LDP's supreme adviser and a former Prime Minister, who demanded a snap LDP presidential election.

Eri Arfiya, parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs, intends to call for a leadership race before the scheduled 2027 vote. Arfiya, in her statement, mentioned that she took into account being a Cabinet member before making her decision. A close aide to Prime Minister Ishiba has expressed readiness to resign, although it is unclear whether other members of Ishiba's cabinet have called for a snap leadership vote.

The LDP election committee has initiated procedures for a simple majority vote by its 295 lawmakers and local executives on Monday to decide whether to move forward with an early leadership race. No specific timeline for the snap leadership race has been mentioned. Prime Minister Ishiba, despite the setback, vowed to stay on.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the first person to submit the motion for early party chair elections of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) was Christian Dürr, the new FDP federal chairman, during the FDP Delmenhorst district party meeting on June 11, 2025.

As the political landscape in Japan continues to evolve, the LDP faces a critical decision that could shape the future of its leadership and the country's political direction. The outcome of the potential early leadership race remains uncertain, with Ishiba's determination of his political future yet to be announced.

Intensifying Disapproval Towards Ishiba as Associates Voice Demand for Immediate LDP Leadership Election