Ishiba Cabinet Steps Down As Japan Awaits Vote To Elect New Prime Minister

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his cabinet stepped down on Tuesday, drawing the curtain on an administration that lasted just over a year.

At a special cabinet meeting held shortly before 9 AM local time, ministers handed in their resignations, officially dissolving the Ishiba government.

Later in the day, both houses of Japan’s parliament, the Diet, are to meet to choose the nation’s next leader.

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sanae Takaichi is likely to take office as Japan’s next prime minister.

Her victory is anticipated with the support of the Japan Innovation Party, which recently entered a new coalition with the LDP following Komeito’s departure.

Once the vote concludes, Takaichi will finalise her cabinet selections, with the chief cabinet secretary expected to release the official list shortly after.

According to a report by Xinhua news agency, Takaichi will likely address the media upon taking office, outline her policy priorities, and explain her cabinet choices.

Leadership Vote and Coalition Politics

Last Friday, Japan’s ruling and opposition parties agreed to hold the leadership vote on 21 October, the opening day of an extraordinary session of the Diet, to formally select Ishiba’s successor.

The LDP and the main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, confirmed that the parliamentary vote would take place on 21 October.

The LDP has since formed a strategic partnership with the Osaka-based Japan Innovation Party, also known as Ishin no Kai.

The alliance is likely to ensure Takaichi’s appointment as prime minister, helped by the divided state of Japan’s opposition parties.

However, the coalition led by Takaichi will fall short of a clear majority in both chambers of the Diet.

As a result, her administration will likely need cooperation from smaller opposition groups to advance key legislation, raising questions over the government’s stability and durability.

At 64, Takaichi is likely to assemble a cabinet featuring allies of veteran LDP powerbroker Taro Aso, along with loyal supporters from her leadership campaign.

Known for her conservative views, Takaichi has often opposed liberal social reforms.

She has rejected same-sex marriage, supports maintaining male-only succession in the imperial family, and is against legal provisions allowing married couples to retain separate surnames.