自民党じみんとう両院りょういん議員ぎいん総会そうかいの開催かいさい決定けってい 石破いしば首相しゅしょう“逃にげずに説明せつめい”

The Liberal Democratic Party decided at its executive meeting on the 29th to soon hold a General Assembly of Both Houses, the partys decision-making body, in response to calls from within the party following their defeat in the House of Councillors election.

In response to the defeat in the House of Councillors election, the Liberal Democratic Party held a joint meeting of both houses for four and a half hours on the 28th. During the meeting, some members called for a general assembly of both houses to be held in order to hold the partys decision-making body accountable.

Additionally, mid-level and younger lawmakers from the former Motegi faction and former Abe faction are conducting a signature campaign to demand the holding of a general meeting.

In response to this, at the Liberal Democratic Partys executive meeting on the morning of the 29th, it was decided to hold a joint plenary meeting of both houses soon.

After this, Secretary-General Moriyama said at a press conference, Since there were opinions calling for a general meeting at yesterdays joint meeting of both houses, I believe we should respect that.

It is possible to hold a general meeting without going through the procedures for requesting it, and a decision has been made to do so, he said.

He also stated, As for the agenda of the general meeting, we will listen to those who wish to request the meeting under the leadership of the Chairperson of the Joint Plenary Meeting of Both Houses to find out what they want to discuss there in the future.

On the other hand, when asked by reporters whether it would be possible to decide to hold the presidential election earlier at the general meeting, he replied, That is very complicated.

I think matters such as holding the presidential election ahead of schedule would fall under the jurisdiction of the Presidential Election Management Committee, he said.

Also, at the board meeting on the 29th, Prime Minister Ishiba said, At yesterdays joint meeting of both houses, there were some harsh opinions expressed.

I will take it sincerely and make appropriate decisions regarding party management and administration, he said.

Prime Minister Ishiba: All I can do is to explain without running away. After attending the LDP executive meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba was asked by reporters at the Prime Ministers Office about how he plans to gain understanding regarding calls for his resignation from within the party. He responded, All I can say is that I will provide explanations carefully and sincerely; I am not considering anything else.

He said, It all comes down to explaining things without running away.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi: I want to firmly support Prime Minister Ishiba. At a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said, Prime Minister Ishiba has stated that there is no change in his intention to continue as president of the Liberal Democratic Party, and that he wants to fulfill his responsibilities.

I would like to continue firmly supporting Prime Minister Ishiba in all aspects of national affairs as Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Defense Minister Nakatani: “We will continue to support the Ishiba Cabinet.” At a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Defense Minister Nakatani stated, “As we face the most severe and complex security environment since the end of the war, it is unacceptable for the efforts of the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces to stagnate, even as Defense Minister.”

As a member of the Cabinet, it is only natural that I will continue to fulfill my duties and support the Ishiba Cabinet.

I think the Liberal Democratic Party will continue to review and reflect on the House of Councillors election, but whats important is to thoroughly discuss what went wrong and what needs to be changed.

Hira, Minister for Digital, said, Rather than deepening divisions, its more of the LDPs culture. At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister Hira said, At the LDPs joint meeting of both houses, each member spoke their mind to the executive without holding back or trying to curry favor.

Rather than deepening divisions, its actually part of the Liberal Democratic Partys culture, and its a good thing.

The executive board will listen to various opinions before deciding how to respond, so I would like to wait and see.

Secretary-General Ogawa of the Constitutional Democratic Party: “The continuation itself is a major political vacuum.” At a press conference, Secretary-General Ogawa of the Constitutional Democratic Party said, “It seems that they are insisting on staying on to avoid a political vacuum, but I strongly feel that the continuation itself is creating a major political vacuum.”

I am extremely concerned that their unwillingness to give up will cause various obstacles, such as hindering policy promotion, and that the damage will ultimately affect the people.