Domino Resignations Shake LDP

TOKYO, Sep 03 (News On Japan) - The Liberal Democratic Party held a joint meeting of both houses on Tuesday to review its crushing defeat in the Upper House election, where it was revealed that all three top executives, including Secretary-General Moriyama, intend to resign.

How Prime Minister Ishiba will respond to these resignations is now a central question.

Returning to the Prime Minister’s Office shortly before 5:30 p.m. after the meeting, Ishiba told reporters: "I will make a judgment on responsibility at the appropriate time, but for now, I will devote myself fully to what the people expect me to do."

Earlier in the afternoon, Ishiba entered the meeting hall with his right hand raised. Before the report on the election defeat was delivered, he opened with repeated words of apology.

Ishiba said: "What I failed to achieve is entirely my responsibility. The fact that we lost many comrades is solely my responsibility. I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies. I am truly sorry." He repeated the phrase "my responsibility" four times, and went on to declare: "I have no attachment to my position. I have no intention of clinging to it. I will make the proper decision at the appropriate time."

After the initial press cameras were ushered out, Moriyama, the party’s number two, announced his intention to resign. Policy Research Council Chairman Onodera also told reporters he had conveyed his resignation to the Prime Minister, while General Council Chairman Suzuki likewise expressed his intent to step down.

This wave of resignations created what observers called a "domino effect" within the party leadership, coinciding with the election review.

Meanwhile, the official report presented behind closed doors at the meeting did not directly address the responsibility of Ishiba or the leadership. Instead, it concluded with the pledge: "We will embark on a rebuilding effort akin to the rebirth of the party itself, and transform into a true national political party."

Some lawmakers welcomed the tone. LDP Upper House member Katayama said: "I thought the report was relatively balanced. Many lawmakers also appreciated the Prime Minister’s statement that he would not cling to his position and would decide at the appropriate time."

But others raised concerns. Former Minister for Economic Security Kobayashi said: "How do we reconcile his remarks with his past statements that election results must not be taken lightly? If there is no change in how he intends to take responsibility, I am prepared to sign a petition calling for an early leadership election."

With the resignation domino shaking the party, speculation is growing over whether this will fuel efforts to push Ishiba out. On the evening of September 2nd, party lawmakers were formally informed that a decision would be made on Monday, September 8th, regarding whether to bring forward the leadership election.

Source: FNN

Water Supply Disruptions Continue in Hakone

A renewed water outage struck Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture after supplies briefly resumed on February 11th morning, with authorities reinstating water restrictions from 9 p.m. as frozen pipes and low reservoir levels linked to an intense cold wave continued to disrupt supply across the region.

Japan’s Oldest Man Dies at 111

Kiyotaka Mizuno, the oldest man in Japan and the oldest resident in Shizuoka Prefecture, died of natural causes at his home in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, on February 8th at the age of 111, according to local authorities.

Can Japan End Hay Fever by Killing Male Cedar Flowers?

The arrival of pollen season has once again begun to affect large parts of Japan, but new research aimed at preventing cedar pollen from dispersing is raising hopes that the future could bring relief for millions of sufferers, with scientists working on a method to wither only the male flowers of cedar trees and stop pollen at its source.

Construction of Yamanashi Prefecture Station for Linear Chuo Shinkansen to Begin March 11

JR Tokai has decided to begin construction on the Yamanashi Prefecture station for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen on March 11, marking the start of work on the only station along the Tokyo–Nagoya section where construction had yet to begin.

Murase Lands Historic Gold With Daring Final Run in Olympic Big Air

The women’s snowboard big air final was held at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, where Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Murase Kokomo, 21, of TOKIO Inkarami captured the gold medal, becoming the first Japanese woman to win gold in the event and the first in women’s snowboarding history to reach the podium at two consecutive Olympics.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

LDP Wins Overwhelming Victory in Lower House Election

Japan's 51st House of Representatives election was held on February 8 with ballots counted the same day, delivering a sweeping victory for the Liberal Democratic Party, which significantly increased its strength from before the official campaign and secured more than two-thirds of the 465 seats in the chamber on its own, surpassing 310 seats and achieving a landslide win.

Immigration Debate Takes Center Stage in Japan's Lower House Election

With three days remaining until voting and ballot counting in the Lower House election, Saitama’s 2nd district centered on Kawaguchi City has drawn national attention as a frontline in Japan’s foreign resident policy debate, where multiple candidates are calling for stricter controls.

Election Highlights Local Childcare Policy

At a daycare center in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, where the proportion of foreign residents is particularly high, more than 30% of enrolled children hold foreign nationality, and foreign staff have become an indispensable part of daily operations, even as the question of how Japan should accept foreign residents has emerged as one of the key issues in the Lower House election.

Japan Divided Over Tighter Residency Controls as Foreign Workforce Swells

Foreign workers are now indispensable across Japan, from convenience stores and agriculture to nursing care, and with the House of Representatives election approaching, political parties are sharpening their positions on how the country should manage its rapidly growing foreign population.

China Urges Citizens to Avoid Traveling to Japan During Lunar New Year Holidays

China’s Foreign Ministry has urged Chinese citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday period, citing a rise in crimes targeting Chinese nationals and a series of earthquakes in parts of the country.

Japan Moves to Tighten Citizenship Rules

The government on January 23rd compiled a comprehensive set of measures after holding a ministerial meeting on foreign resident policy, stressing the need for “orderly coexistence.”

Seven Party Leaders Face Off On Live TV

With the House of Representatives election officially kicking off on January 27, seven party leaders appeared on Fuji TV’s “Sunday Report THE PRIME” to debate how quickly they could deliver the consumption tax cuts many are promising as a response to rising prices, along with the rationale for the snap dissolution and Japan’s security policy as tensions with China persist.

Japan Heads Into Snap Election

The Japanese government decided at a Cabinet meeting on January 23rd to dissolve the House of Representatives, with the Lower House set to be formally dissolved at a plenary session later in the day, effectively launching the election campaign.

< 2 3 4 5 >