Ishiba faces makeover challenge as low support rate bodes ill for elections

...calls have not been growing within the LDP for a new leader...

Any leader has to have support for long enough to steady the ship. The constant jockeying for power by this group or that is not helpful.

It can be beneficial to a PM to be in a power-broking position with opposition parties. No part of his own party can have the final say, so it protects him from extreme factions within the LDP. The opposition do need to play nicely to get concessions - if they make it impossible for him, chances are that Sanae would win the next election outright on a mix of militarism and populism.

Each time he brings in a popular policy that the LDP would not have done if they could help it, he improves his own credibility and popularity with the electorate.

Politics really isn't very difficult. You don't have to be competent, honest, trustworthy or sane to win an election. The last decade has underlined that.

Gaffes/bumbling can be flipped to support a 'man of the people' image. Just make sure he has a competent minder to step in as required. All politicians need that, as they are rarely that good at stuff or self aware enough.

Require traditional names and names of choice on official paperwork and let people use either in day to day life, as they wish. It's just an extra field on a database. Type one in and the other pops up, rather like 2FA. Extra security for free. Computer systems require a degree of conformity to work, so there isn't much wiggle room anyway.

Cut the best deal without compromising Japans future.

Japan has no future without the support of the USA.

A few tax cuts here and there would soon win back popularity…

Wash, rinse, repeat, only with LDP detergent of course.

How do you say I have no confidence in a truly independent Japan in ten words.

Japan has no future without the support of the USA.

And amongst all this chicanery and trickery, we, the guys who put them there have to struggle to make a living. Whether Ishiba's projected image is of one who listens is irrelevant. He has to actually LISTEN.

Time for Takaichi san to put the old guy out of his misery

It's the economy. stupid!

"the negative spiral of public discontent"

"some of the opposition parties secured more seats than before and have a bigger say in parliament."

"with the Democratic Party for the People over the issue of boosting people's income by reducing tax burdens, and the Japan Innovation Party over making school education free."

The DPP and JIP recognize that people are hurting economically. Whether this is a ploy to make gains at the next election or a real policy stance only time will tell.

However, their position is in direct contrast to the LDP and every thinking citizen can see that distinction.

The LDP are left trying to play catch up. This is not a position of power.

For the jpn electorate to decide, let it be democratic.

For any minority government, the vital ingredient is unified consensus with political cross party groups.

"A minority government is basically unstable and seeking policy-by-policy coordination with each party takes time and efforts,"

There is of more concern a clear lack of unity within Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba own party.

A structure built on sand.

Ishiba's immediate predecessor Fumio Kishida has also made gestures seen as indicating his wish to remain influential -- and possibly return as prime minister, though people close to him dismiss the view. He stepped down over the political funds scandal.

Roads will lead back to the lack of political will to fully investigate corruption to quote....

Liberal Democratic Party of Japan's conservative Seiwa Seisaku Kenkyūkai and Shisuikai factions became public after it was revealed the faction had failed to report over ¥600 million in campaign funds 

I suggest the tip of an iceberg, points to clear usage of political slush funds, that could lead a vote buying fund.

The so called faction led, king making role of former LDP Secretary General Nikai Toshihiro, Taro Aso and Yoshihide Suga have been masterclass is smoke and mirrors whitewash.

Recent years Japanese "Kisha-club" media prioritize "friendly-relation" with governmental executives or commemorative photo with PM than journalism, avoid tough questions to PM or secretary general or ruling party, don't cover even if they feel something doubts to politics, those attitudes became one of causes that corrupted politics.

awomdeJan. 1  09:37 am JST

Time for Takaichi san to put the old guy out of his misery

I honestly don't get it. What on earth does anyone see in that Takaichi person that's even remotely appealing?