国际观察｜石破茂“体面”辞职 日政坛“一地鸡毛”

Core Viewpoint - Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan, announced his resignation on September 7, 2023, amid significant internal party pressure, aiming to maintain a "decent" exit and prevent further party division [1][4]. Group 1: Resignation Context - Ishiba faced mounting pressure to resign following the LDP's losses in both the House of Councillors election in July and the House of Representatives election last October, resulting in the party losing its majority in both chambers [2]. - The completion of U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations provided a context for Ishiba's resignation, as he previously cited the need to avoid a "political vacuum" during these discussions [2][4]. - A significant number of LDP members, totaling 131 national lawmakers and 20 local organizations, called for an early presidential election, nearing the threshold for such a move [3]. Group 2: Internal Party Dynamics - Despite the high demand for an early presidential election, there were still supporters within the party advocating for Ishiba to remain in his position, indicating a split in party loyalty [4]. - Concerns about potential public exposure of party divisions prompted Ishiba to make a "bitter decision" to resign, as he feared a "decisive split" within the party [4]. Group 3: Future Leadership Challenges - Following Ishiba's resignation, the LDP will need to elect a new president, but analysts suggest that whoever takes over will face ongoing political turmoil [5]. - Potential candidates include prominent figures such as Sanae Takaichi and Yoshihide Suga, but the current "double minority" status of the LDP in the Diet complicates the situation for any new leader [6][7]. - The new president will need to navigate significant challenges, including regaining a majority in the House of Representatives and addressing ongoing issues related to U.S.-Japan tariff agreements [7].