Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s future is uncertain, but an unlikely campaign for him to stay was growing online this week, including from people who are his natural political opponents.
The life raft has emerged since upper house elections on Sunday last week deprived Ishiba’s coalition of an upper house majority, months after it saw a similar disaster in the lower chamber.
Despite Ishiba insisting that he has not discussed his resignation with members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), multiple reports said that it is just a matter of time.
Photo: AFP
Some conservative members of the LDP are collecting signatures to hold a special meeting to discuss a leadership election to oust Ishiba, Fuji TV reported yesterday.
One reported signee is hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi, who would likely run again to lead the party if Ishiba does depart.
The prospect of someone as premier with hawkish views on Japanese history and China has fueled online calls for the moderate Ishiba to remain in power under the hashtag “#IshibaDon’tQuit.”
Some of the calls came from opposition politicians, including even from a Communist Party member of a local ward assembly.
Ishiba “is the most reasonable LDP leader in recent memory,” Social Democratic Party Legislator LaSalle Ishii said.
“If he resigns, a far-right government will be born,” he said.
Reiwa Shinsengumi leader Taro Yamamoto was among the first to voice concern about Ishiba’s replacement.
“The question is, if he were not to continue, who is going to replace him instead?” he said. “His economic policies are no good, but for Ishiba-san to continue, I think it’s a safe choice.”
A rally was also planned for yesterday evening in front of Ishiba’s office to urge him to stay, although it was uncertain how many would attend.
Shortly after last week’s election, a Kyodo News survey put the approval rating for the Ishiba government at just 22.9 percent.
However, in that same poll, 45.8 percent of the public believed there was no need for him to resign.
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