LDP Initiates Discussions on Potential Premature Leadership Vote
Liberal Democratic Party of Japan to Decide on Early Leadership Election
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election administration commission in Japan will meet on August 27, 2025, to discuss the process for an early leadership election. This decision comes in response to the party's poor showing in the House of Councillors election last month, which has put pressure on Prime Minister and LDP President Shigeru Ishiba to resign.
The LDP's constitution states that an extraordinary presidential election can be triggered if more than half of the combination of the party's 295 lawmakers and 47 prefectural chapters demand it, amounting to a majority of 172 votes. If this majority is reached, it would effectively be a recall of Ishiba.
The commission, headed by Ichiro Aisawa, has been tasked with organizing the leadership election process. At their first meeting on August 19, they were unable to reach a conclusion on when and how to confirm the opinions of LDP lawmakers and prefectural chapters. However, the next meeting is expected to finalize the method for soliciting written opinions from party members.
The process will involve a survey where LDP members will sign to confirm their intentions on whether to proceed with an early leadership poll. There is also discussion over whether names of those calling for an early election will be made public.
The party plans to compile an assessment report on the recent Upper House election results by around September 2. This report is likely to influence decisions on Ishiba’s leadership, with possible impacts including a "slush fund" scandal and responsibility falling on Ishiba and senior executives for the election setbacks.
The leadership election would be a significant move given the divided stance on Ishiba’s resignation. Some prefectural chapters are in favor of holding the election, while others remain uncertain or opposed. This reflects ongoing intraparty tensions with calls from some lawmakers for Ishiba’s ouster, but as of late August 2025, no clear majority for a leadership election has materialized.
In summary, the LDP presidential election administration commission will meet on August 27 to decide the procedure for soliciting LDP members' opinions on an early leadership election. The party's assessment report on the recent election is expected around early September, which will likely influence decisions on Ishiba’s leadership. However, as of now, there is no definitive consensus within the party regarding Ishiba’s resignation or an immediate leadership election.
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