The recent by-elections in Japan have resulted in a major defeat for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing party, the Liberal Democratic Party. Kishida attributes this defeat to a political fundraising scandal involving lawmakers pocketing profits from ticket sales to political events by falsifying accounting reports. Despite the loss, Kishida has stated that he will not step down or replace party executives but will instead focus on anti-corruption measures and political reforms to regain the people’s trust. He emphasized the importance of tackling the challenges faced by the party and achieving results to rebuild confidence among the public.
The defeat in the by-elections, where the LDP lost all three seats to the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is seen as a punishment by voters for the scandal that has tarnished Kishida’s leadership. While the party is unlikely to lose power due to the fractured opposition, the loss marks a setback for Kishida as he prepares for re-election as his party’s leader in the fall. Political analysts suggest that Kishida’s hopes for a snap election to receive a public mandate have been dampened by the recent losses, which could affect his clout within the party.
Despite a successful state visit to the U.S. earlier in the month, Kishida’s leadership has been undermined by the scandal and the election losses. There are concerns within the LDP that some lawmakers may try to bring him down in favor of a fresh face ahead of the next general election, making it difficult for Kishida to run for another term as the party’s leader. Kishida, however, has denied any plans for a snap election and continues to focus on addressing the plummeting approval ratings that have plagued his government since the scandal broke. He has taken steps to remove Cabinet ministers and party executives involved in the scandal, conducted internal hearings, and drafted reform measures, but support for his government remains low at around 20%.
The scandal surrounding unreported political funds raised through party events has implicated more than 80 LDP lawmakers, primarily belonging to a major party faction previously led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In January, ten individuals, including lawmakers and their aides, were indicted in connection to the scandal. Kishida’s commitment to pursuing political reforms and anti-corruption measures will be crucial in regaining the people’s trust and restoring confidence in his leadership. As he navigates these challenges, Kishida will face increasing pressure from within the LDP to address the issues that have damaged the party’s reputation and credibility.
