Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Monday that he will continue to lead the country despite his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffering its poorest election performance in over a decade. Addressing the nation in a press conference, Ishiba emphasized his commitment to avoid a \"political vacuum\" and to fulfill his duty in safeguarding the lives and well-being of the Japanese people.
At 67, Ishiba acknowledged that the recent election results were a clear sign of the public's \"suspicion, mistrust, and anger\" towards the LDP. The backlash stemmed from a scandal involving LDP members allegedly pocketing money from fundraising events, which also contributed to the downfall of his predecessor, Fumio Kishida.
Despite receiving an \"extremely harsh verdict\" from voters, Ishiba vowed to implement fundamental reforms aimed at addressing the intertwined issues of money and politics within the party. His administration plans to tackle the corruption that has eroded public confidence and to restore integrity within the LDP.
Furthermore, Ishiba reaffirmed his intention to maintain the coalition government with the junior partner Komeito. Although the LDP fell short of Ishiba's target of securing at least 233 seats in the 456-member lower house, the coalition remains a key component of his strategy to stabilize the government and push forward with necessary reforms.
As Japan navigates this challenging political landscape, Prime Minister Ishiba's resolve to stay in office and enact meaningful changes highlights his dedication to leading the nation through tumultuous times.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
