【与党よとうの動うごき 23日;にじゅうさんにち】石破;いしば首相しゅしょう 続投ぞくとうの意向いこう 党内とうないから責任せきにん問とう声こえ】

Prime Minister Ishiba met on the 23rd with three former prime ministers from the Liberal Democratic Party: Senior Advisor Aso, Vice President Suga, and former Prime Minister Kishida.

Regarding his own future in light of the results of the House of Councillors election, Prime Minister Ishiba denied some reports of his resignation as untrue, and reiterated his intention to remain in office in order to quickly address policy issues such as responding to the Japan-U.S. agreement on tariff negotiations.

Voices within the Liberal Democratic Party are calling for accountability, and the challenge will be whether the party can maintain unity.

We will report on the actions and reactions of the ruling party on July 23.

The signature sheet titled Resolution states, We demand the prompt convening of a joint meeting of both houses members to hold those responsible for the election results accountable and to revitalize the party.

According to the party rules, known as the Party Constitution, if a request is made by one-third or more of the partys members of parliament, a General Assembly of Both Houses must be convened. Once the signatures have been collected, they will be submitted to the party leadership.

After this, Mr. Suzuki told reporters, First, we need to calmly consider why things turned out this way.

Its easy to criticize, but first we should discuss how to gain the trust of the people, he said.

On top of that, during the election period, as I traveled around the country, I heard very harsh criticisms such as, The slush fund issue hasnt been resolved. I think this led to the results of last years House of Representatives election and this years House of Councillors election.

The talk of people who dont take clear responsibility opposing Prime Minister Ishiba is just a diversionary argument, and its hasty to simply say its bad.

Furthermore, This year is especially significant as it marks the 80th anniversary since the end of the war.

He pointed out, It would be disrespectful to the spirits of the war dead if we are still in disarray in August.

In light of these harsh results, it is being demanded that a prompt and honorable resignation be announced.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi: We will continue to provide solid support. At an afternoon press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi commented on some reports that Prime Minister Ishiba had conveyed his intention to resign to those around him, saying, As Prime Minister Ishiba stated after his meeting with former Prime Minister Aso, former Prime Minister Suga, and former Prime Minister Kishida, there is absolutely no truth to what has been reported.

I will continue to firmly support Prime Minister Ishiba in all aspects of national administration as Chief Cabinet Secretary, he said.

In this context, following the reduction of seats in the House of Councillors election, as well as last years House of Representatives election and last months Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, there were a series of opinions that Prime Minister Ishiba and the executive leadership should take responsibility and resign, and that the administration should be promptly reorganized.

Furthermore, there were also opinions calling for an early meeting of the General Assembly of Both Houses, which is the partys official decision-making body.

On the other hand, there were also remarks such as, First and foremost, we need to thoroughly review the election, and, Simply changing the face is meaningless; the party itself must change.

The Youth Bureau plans to compile the opinions that have been expressed into a document and submit it to the executive board soon.

After the meeting, Youth Bureau Director Nakasone told reporters, There were many voices calling for the renewal of the party president and executive leadership, and for their immediate resignation.

This time’s results are a final warning that “the Liberal Democratic Party is finished,” and I have a strong sense of crisis about it.

In the House of Councillors election on the 20th, the two incumbent LDP members secured seats in the Hokkaido constituency, which has three seats. However, the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito failed to maintain a majority of seats as they had aimed for, resulting in the ruling parties becoming a minority in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.

In response to this, the Hokkaido branch of the Liberal Democratic Party compiled a written request on the 23rd calling for Prime Minister Ishibas resignation and submitted it to party headquarters.

As a result, it is pointed out that, following last autumns House of Representatives election, this election is another major defeat, and that the responsibility for becoming a minority ruling party in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors is extremely serious. It is also emphasized that, in order for the Liberal Democratic Party to regain the trust of the people, a fundamental reorganization of the party is essential.

On top of that, it strongly urges Prime Minister Ishiba to make a decision regarding his own future that party members can accept.

After this, Kanagawa Prefectural Secretary-General Hiroyuki Umezawa told reporters, It is important to quickly take responsibility for the major defeat in the House of Councillors election.

People in the local community are also expressing doubts about who will take responsibility, and in terms of clarifying responsibility, resignation is the most straightforward option, he said.