石破いしば首相しゅしょう 続投ぞくとう意向いこうを重かさねて示しめすも 党内とうないで辞任じにん求もとめる動うごき続つづく

Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated his intention to remain in office after meeting with three former prime ministers of the Liberal Democratic Party on the 23rd.

On the other hand, within the party, moves to demand Prime Minister Ishibas resignation continue, and there are also voices expressing concern about deepening divisions within the party.

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

Prime Minister Ishiba said, We shared a strong sense of crisis, and there were various discussions, such as that a split in the party must never happen.

He said, The topic of my resignation has not come up.

He also strongly denied that some of the resignation reports were true, and reiterated his intention to remain in office, stating that he wants to quickly address policy issues such as responding to the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations agreement.

A senior government official said, Prime Minister Ishiba himself still has things he wants to accomplish, such as establishing a Disaster Management Agency.

The party leadership, in response to the defeat in the House of Councillors election, will hold a joint meeting of both houses members on the 28th of this month, and plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the election under a newly established organization within the party by next month.

On the other hand, within the party, there are still ongoing moves demanding Prime Minister Ishiba’s resignation and a reshuffling of the party leadership.

Mid-level and younger members of the former Motegi faction have begun collecting signatures to request an early meeting of the partys general assembly, its decision-making body, insisting that responsibility for the election results should be addressed. In addition, during an online meeting held by the party’s Youth Bureau, there was a series of opinions calling for a prompt overhaul of the party leadership.

In last years party leadership election, former Minister for Economic Security, Takaichi, who competed against Prime Minister Ishiba, exchanged opinions with lawmakers close to her about the situation within the party, and then also held talks with Mr. Aso.

Four former key members of the Abe faction, including former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura, have also held meetings, and as moves with an eye on the future political situation become more active, there are concerns that if things continue like this, the rift within the party may deepen.