In a pivotal moment for Japan's political landscape, Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been reelected as the country's prime minister. The decisive vote took place in both houses of the Japanese Diet on Monday, highlighting a significant shift in voter sentiment.
The recent general election saw the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito lose its long-standing majority, prompting an extraordinary session of the Diet to select the new prime minister. Facing off against Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, Ishiba emerged victorious in a tightly contested runoff.
At 67 years old, Ishiba secured 221 votes in the House of Representatives, surpassing Noda to become Japan's 103rd prime minister, despite not reaching the 233-seat majority threshold. This outcome marks a challenging start for Ishiba, who had hoped a snap election would strengthen his government's position.
The LDP and Komeito coalition garnered 215 of the 465 seats, a significant drop from their previous 247 seats. Meanwhile, the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party made substantial gains, increasing their representation from 98 to 148 seats.
Amidst rising inflation and a recent slush fund scandal, voters expressed their frustration, leading to the ruling bloc experiencing its worst performance since 2009. Ishiba's inauguration is scheduled at the Imperial Palace, followed by a press conference in the evening, where he is expected to address the challenges ahead and outline his agenda for the country.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
