Japan LDP holds key meeting ahead of Upper House election

"It is the LDP that bears responsibility for how to steer the country," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told the meeting of secretaries-general of regional chapters. Other participants included party Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama and Vice President Yoshihide Suga, a former prime minister.

Ishiba said he will ask for voter support for the continuance of the ruling coalition with Komeito and called for unity among LDP members.

He aims to win at least 50 seats in the Upper House election so that the coalition can remain a majority force in the chamber with at least 125 seats, including those not to be contested this time.

Ishiba, the LDP's president, reiterated his promise to realise a wage increase outpacing price rises, with measures against the persisting inflation viewed as the biggest election issue.

He criticised opposition forces, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, for failing to present alternative funding sources for social security costs that would be necessary if the consumption tax is reduced as envisioned in their election pledges.

It is the LDP that seriously discusses policies, Ishiba said, referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Middle East tensions and agricultural administration, including rice affairs.

In a question and answer session, a Shizuoka prefectural branch member said that the party needs to clearly show its regret about its political fund scandals. Other party members called for measures to address false information on social media and ensure rice price stability.

 [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]

Photo by Reuters