Japan Election: Japan Prime Minister Ishiba Intends to Remain in Post, Says National Politics Cannot Stagnate ‘For a Moment’

The Japan News

15:56 JST, October 28, 2024

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed on Monday his intention to remain in office despite of the defeat of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito.

“National politics cannot be allowed to stagnate, even for a moment, in this severe security and economic environment,” said Ishiba, who is also president of LDP, during a press conference at the party’s headquarters on the day. “We received an extremely harsh judgement from the public. It is deeply regrettable that we have lost so many valuable members of LDP and Komeito.” “I want to fulfill my duty to secure lives of citizens and Japan,” he said.

Regarding the issue of “money in politics,” Ishiba said, “I will eliminate ‘inner circle and party thinking’ and strive for party reform.”

Asked about the framework of a coalition with opposition parties, Ishiba said, “I am not envisioning a coalition at this point in time.”

“I believe I have to sincerely listen to other parties’ policies to start discussions for the benefit of the people,” Ishiba added.