Just three days after his election as the leader of Japan’s ruling party, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called for a snap election on October 27.
Ishiba, 67, succeeded Fumio Kishida as head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Friday, winning a competitive race against eight other candidates.
With the LDP holding a parliamentary majority, Ishiba is set to be confirmed as prime minister by parliament on Tuesday.
“It’s crucial for the new government to receive a prompt evaluation from the public,” Ishiba stated at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday, according to Reuters.
This election, taking place over a year ahead of schedule, will determine control of the lower house of parliament.
Earlier today, Ishiba began selecting officials to run in the general election alongside him, including prominent former prime ministers Taro Aso as an adviser and Yoshihide Suga as vice-president.
He also invited Shinjiro Koizumi, a well-regarded rival from Friday’s leadership contest, to take on the role of election strategy chief.
Notably absent from Ishiba’s selections is Sanae Takaichi, the conservative candidate he narrowly defeated in the runoff.
Following his leadership victory, Ishiba emphasized his commitment to revitalizing Japan’s economy, addressing security issues, and reforming the LDP, which has seen a decline in approval ratings due to recent scandals and internal strife.
Key among these issues are the revelations regarding the Unification Church’s influence within the LDP and suspicions that party factions have under-reported political funding over the years, triggering widespread public anger and damaging Kishida’s political standing, leading to his decision in August to step down.
“In the upcoming LDP presidential election, it’s essential to demonstrate to the public that the party is changing,” Kishida stated last month when announcing his decision not to seek re-election.
Ishiba echoed his predecessor’s sentiments shortly after taking office. “We must be a party that fosters open discussions, is fair in all matters, and approaches issues with humility,” he told reporters.
Despite the controversies, the LDP remains Japan’s most popular political party, having dominated Japanese politics since the post-war era. The recent leadership campaign has been viewed as a trial run for the general election, with candidates appealing not just to party members but also to the broader electorate.