TOKYO, Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is at risk of losing his party’s 15-year majority as the nation heads into a snap election.
Ishiba, who took office just a month ago after winning a tough internal Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) contest, called for elections to gain public support for significant reforms aimed at reshaping Japan’s society.
However, polls indicate that the LDP might fall short of the 233 seats needed for a lower house majority, which would be the first such loss since 2009. Even with its junior coalition partner, Komeito, forming a government could require new alliances.
A major challenge for Ishiba is the popularity of opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda, a former prime minister, whose policies mirror many LDP stances.
Japan’s economy, stagnant for years, is a major concern for voters, with inflation, rising energy costs, and the country’s aging population contributing to economic struggles.
Ishiba has promised economic revitalization, including raising wages and fighting deflation, but these promises have been met with skepticism. His disapproval rating has reached 40%, exacerbated by a lack of female representation in his cabinet and the ongoing slush fund scandal that plagued his predecessor.
The election’s outcome will depend on whether the opposition can unite effectively to challenge Ishiba’s leadership.
