Politics is often an affair involving family ties and alliances, but Japan chose a self-acclaimed lone wolf to lead its ruling party and become the next prime minister after former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned earlier last month.
The Rise of Shigeru Ishiba
Shigeru Ishiba is an outsider who claims to prefer reading three books a day rather than interacting with his colleagues within the party. Despite this, he was favored in an internal election held by the LDP on Friday to elect the prime minister. This unexpected turn of events in Japanese politics raises questions about why the party would choose a known dissenter as its leader.
Ishiba had previously been sidelined by Kishida’s government and openly criticized the administration, calling for Kishida’s resignation. He has disagreed with party policies, particularly on the increased use of nuclear energy and the lack of provisions allowing married couples to use separate surnames. His outspoken nature has earned him enemies within the LDP, yet he was still selected to govern during these fragile times.
Kishida’s Resignation and Its Implications
Outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation last month after noticing that public support had eroded due to political scandals and the rising cost of living, which undermined his three-year term and triggered a contest to replace him. In his announcement, he stated, “Politics cannot function without public trust. I made this heavy decision thinking of the public, with the strong will to push political reform forward.”
His resignation has sparked questions and theories about who would replace him and restore public confidence in the LDP in light of the upcoming general elections, slated for the next 13 months.
Declining Popularity
Kishida’s approval ratings began to slide rapidly after he took office in 2021, following revelations about the LDP’s ties to the controversial Unification Church. His popularity further declined when a slush fund of unrecorded political donations made at LDP fundraising events came to light.
He also faced public discontent over stagnant wages that failed to keep pace with rising living costs as the country finally shook off years of deflationary pressure.
Following his announcement, political analysts in Japan noted that the party would need a new face as its leader—someone who could distance the party from recent scandals to survive the upcoming general election, due by the third quarter of 2025 at the latest.
“If the LDP picks its next leader in a way that disregards public criticism against political funding scandals, the party could suffer a crushing defeat,” said political analyst Atsuo Ito. “The party must choose someone young who has no ties with the present administration and thus can present a new LDP,” he added.
Ishiba’s Unique Position
Given his history of dissent within the party, Ishiba fits the bill for what the LDP needs. He is also popular among the Japanese populace, prompting party members to set aside personal grudges to secure their majority in the 2025 general elections. Political observers have commented that the party has “gravitated towards a popular figure who excels in media appearances and isn’t afraid to criticize his own party when he thinks they’re in the wrong.”
Challenges Ahead for Ishiba
As the newly appointed leader, Shigeru Ishiba faces daunting challenges. He has promised to “fulfill his duty” and has less than 13 months to prove himself to both party members and the Japanese populace. With a short timeline in view, Ishiba has outlined various promises for his leadership, including cleaning up the ruling party, revitalizing the economy, and addressing security threats from powerful neighbors. He cited recent incursions from Russia and China into Japanese territory, as well as North Korea’s repeated missile tests, as reasons for Japan to bolster its security. He has also claimed that he can restore Japan to its economic glory after a period of decline.
The Question of Delivery
With all these promises and expectations, the pressing question remains: Will Shigeru Ishiba be able to deliver on his commitments to the Japanese people and restore the glory of his party? The upcoming months will determine whether his le
