Japanese PM Kishida Takes LDP's By-Election Losses Seriously, Denies Snap Election Plans

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledged the governing Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) major defeat in three House of Representatives by-elections held over the weekend, taking the losses seriously. Kishida, who also serves as the LDP president, attributed the party's poor performance largely to a political fundraising scandal involving dozens of LDP lawmakers.

The LDP lost all three seats in the by-elections, which was seen as a punishment by voters for the scandal. In the Shimane Constituency No.1, the sole head-on battle between the ruling and opposition party candidates, the LDP candidate suffered a defeat. Kishida apologized for the loss in this constituency, acknowledging that the party's political funds scandal heavily contributed to the outcome.

Despite the setbacks, Kishida denied any intention to dissolve the lower house for a snap election. Instead, he pledged to focus on dealing with issues and achieving results to regain the public's trust, such as through party reform, political reform, and measures to address wages and prices. Kishida also stated that he will not step down or replace party executives in response to the by-election results.

Why this matters: The LDP's significant losses in the by-elections could erode Kishida's political clout and make it difficult for him to secure another term as party leader in the upcoming September LDP presidential election. The fundraising scandal has also contributed to Kishida's plummeting approval ratings, which have dropped to around 20%, putting pressure on his leadership and the party's future electoral prospects.

The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) capitalized on the LDP's vulnerability, winning all three seats in the by-elections. CDP leader Kenta Izumi called for an early general election, but Kishida maintained that a lower house poll is not scheduled until October 2025. As Kishida vowed to pursue anti-corruption measures and political reforms, he emphasized his determination to tackle the challenges he faces head-on, stating, "I must fulfill my responsibility in producing results."

Key Takeaways

• LDP suffered major defeat in 3 House of Reps by-elections
• Kishida acknowledged loss due to LDP fundraising scandal
• LDP lost all 3 seats, with a defeat in Shimane constituency
• Kishida denied dissolving lower house for snap election
• LDP losses could erode Kishida's political clout and approval