Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Announces Resignation
Prime Minister Ishiba leaves after a meeting with the Liberal Democratic Party leaders, with his political campaign poster behind him. Source: The Japan Times.
On September 7, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of the Liberal Democratic Party announced his resignation after only a year in the position, prompting an emergency leadership race. Ishiba’s decision comes after consecutive election losses within his party and rising public outcry due to high living costs. Members of his own party have been calling for his resignation as well, advocating for electing another leader, and contributing to increasing divides both within the party and the political system at large. This resignation falls in accordance with Japan’s recent history of prime ministers serving consecutive short terms.
This decision also comes right after final tariff negotiations with the United States, which initially implemented a 27.5% tariff on Japanese automobiles, one of the largest markets in the world. This was brought down to 15% after negotiations and promises for Japan to buy more American products, and pledging $550 billion in investments in exchange for the lower tariffs.
Despite reaching a deal on tariffs, U.S.-Japan relations remain rocky, with recent polls in Japan revealing citizens’ desires to cut ties and for the country to take a self-defense-centered approach to national security. Ishiba believes the tariff negotiation was “just excellent,” and hoped to create the “golden era of Japan-U.S. relations.” But as part of the deal, Japan must increase its contributions to the “one-sided” U.S.-Japan alliance, specifically defense spending and burden sharing, both of which require stable leadership to implement—something Japan clearly does not currently possess. If this instability continues, Japan will fail to effectively respond to not only the U.S. but also to global policies as they evolve to accommodate the rapidly changing political environment. If Japan falls behind, it could prove disastrous for its already growing list of challenges.
Whether the people’s sentiment is carried on by new leadership is unknown, with candidates Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi among the top choices. Takaichi, known for her conservatism, is the former economic security minister and lost to Ishiba in the LDP elections. If elected, she would be Japan’s first female prime minister. Koizumi, the current agricultural minister, has plans to fight inflation with his previous experience combating increasing rice prices. Nevertheless, polling clearly indicates that citizens would like to distance themselves from the U.S., and if new governance reflects these interests, U.S.-Japan tensions could rise.
Domestically, Japan is facing numerous crises, including inflation, a weak Yen, and security threats from numerous countries. The increasingly unstable political environment will make it difficult for future prime minister candidates to regain the trust of the public. While Ishiba campaigned for and wanted to enforce measures like salary increases, agricultural reforms, and stronger security, he will leave this unfinished business to his successor, emphasizing the inability of political leaders to achieve the promises and goals they set to achieve in office. To return Japan to an era of peace and unity, it is of utmost importance for the Japanese government to not only relieve tensions both within and between parties, but also to repair the relationship that they have damaged with the people.
The Liberal Democratic Party has been ruling Japan since the post-war period, and after being plagued with scandals and low public opinion polls, Japan is struggling with stable leadership amidst a politically turbulent time. Furthermore, it does not seem likely that the people will accept their next prime minister with open arms, especially another one from the LDP. The political funding corruption scandal Ishiba’s party was involved in shook internal party politics to its core, and is even more infuriating to ordinary citizens trying to afford their usual lifestyles as they experience skyrocketing costs of living during the nation’s political tumult. These frustrations will be key in determining if the LDP will continue to stand the test of time, or if it’s time to give rise to another political party.
Overall, Ishiba’s resignation marks a turbulent time in Japan’s government, with implications both domestically and worldwide. Japan’s history of short-term prime ministers and increasing dissent from citizens threatens government stability, and abroad, tariff negotiations with the US have had a heavy impact on the automobile industry and overall economy. With elections nearing, Japan looks to elect a prime minister to lead it through an unpredictable time, as domestic and international tensions remain high.