TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was re-elected on Monday following a vote in Parliament, but his grip on power remains fragile after recent legislative elections that proved disastrous for his party.
Ishiba took office in early October after being elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He called for snap elections, hoping to strengthen his mandate. However, voter dissatisfaction with ongoing inflation and a recent “black cash” scandal that led to the downfall of his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, resulted in the LDP’s worst performance since 2009.
Consequently, the elections have left Japan with a political deadlock, as no party has a clear majority in Parliament.
The LDP, along with its centre-right ally Komeito, lost its absolute majority but remains the largest bloc in the lower house. Meanwhile, opposition parties are unable to oust Ishiba but are essential for passing legislation.
Ishiba secured 221 votes in the re-election, defeating Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), who garnered 160 votes.
The ruling bloc will now need to negotiate with other factions to push its agenda forward. The LDP has sought support from the small centrist People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has agreed to cooperate on a case-by-case basis rather than joining the coalition.
