Japan's Ishiba set to retain premiership despite election setback

Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party LDP Shigeru Ishiba looks at his watch as at the partys headquarters in Tokyo Oct 28 2024 Reuters-Yonhap — Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shigeru Ishiba looks at his watch as at the party's headquarters in Tokyo, Oct. 28, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to secure a fresh term in office when parliament convenes on Nov. 11, despite his ruling coalition losing its majority in last month's general election.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced the four-day special Diet session on Tuesday, where Ishiba is likely to garner more parliamentary support than opposition challenger Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ).

The Democratic Party for the People (DPP), a smaller opposition group, has indicated it will back its own leader Yuichiro Tamaki in the prime ministerial vote, a move that could inadvertently benefit Ishiba by splitting the opposition vote, political analysts said.

The leadership contest comes as Japan grapples with mounting inflation concerns, with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and opposition groups seeking common ground on economic relief measures.

AJP

Japan's Ishiba set to retain premiership despite election setback

Related