Tokyo, Nov 12 – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba retained his premiership in a rare runoff vote in the House of Representatives, indicating his government’s struggle as it moves forward with a minority coalition. With only 221 votes out of 465, Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and ally Komeito are now below the 233-seat majority required for smooth governance.
Key Challenges:
Legislative Dependence: LDP must rely on opposition support, especially from the Democratic Party for the People, for passing critical policies and budget approvals.
Budget Committee: Opposition control of seven key committee chairs, including the powerful Budget Committee, presents significant procedural hurdles.
Fiscal Constraints: Limited fiscal flexibility further constrains Ishiba’s economic policy objectives.
Adding to these challenges, the LDP faces renewed scrutiny over a slush fund scandal, with opposition parties demanding further investigations. This evolving scenario reflects a major shift toward checks and balances in Japanese politics, underscoring Ishiba’s need for broad political cooperation.