Japanese prime minister reappointed as head of minority government

After recent legislative elections, disastrous for his party, the Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, was re-elected on Monday, November 11, following a vote in Parliament. Mr. Ishiba was reappointed to his post by the elected representatives of the lower house of Parliament with 221 votes, against 160 for his rival, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party (PDC).

A second round of voting had to be organized, in the absence of a majority, to decide between the two candidates who came out on top in the first round – a first since 1994. Ishiba took office at the beginning of October, after being elected to head of the ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), and quickly called early elections, which he hoped would consolidate his mandate as head of government.

Instead, voters dissatisfied with recurring inflation for more than two years and frustrated in recent months by a scandal of “slush funds” who helped bring down his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, inflicted on the PLD its worst result since 2009.

Discontent within the party

Consequently, the Archipelago could find itself in a political impasse with a Parliament without a clear majority. On the one hand, the conservative PLD and its ally, the center-right Komeito, have lost the absolute majority but nevertheless remain the largest bloc in the powerful lower house of Parliament. On the other hand, the opposition parties are deeply divided on many key issues and incapable of overthrowing Ishiba, but nevertheless remain essential to pass laws.

The ruling bloc will now have to deal with other blocs to hope to have its program adopted, and has asked for help from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), a small centrist group which has agreed to cooperate piecemeal, rather than join the coalition. In its negotiations with the LDP, the DPP has already demanded tax cuts and energy subsidies, which economists say would significantly reduce the government's tax revenue.

Alongside these delicate negotiations, Mr Ishiba is also facing discontent within his party, which lost dozens of seats – including those held by ministers – in the October 27 election. Furthermore, Donald Trump's victory in the United States could also complicate his task. Washington could very quickly impose new customs duties and demand from Tokyo an increase in its military spending, deemed insufficient by Mr. Trump.