Shigeru Ishiba reiterated: He will continue to serve as Prime Minister after ensuring that the United States lowers automobile tariffs.

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On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated his intention to stay in office after successfully pushing the US to lower tariffs on Japanese automobiles, denying that the implementation of the trade agreement would change his determination to continue leading the government. This statement comes as calls within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for his resignation continue to grow, and the ruling party is set to hold a key vote on Monday on whether to hold an early leadership election.

According to a Nikkei News survey, as of Thursday, among 295 lawmakers, 111 support an early election, 43 oppose it, and about 150 have yet to clarify their positions. Ishiba's political fate will depend on these lawmakers who are undecided or have not revealed their stance.

US President Trump has signed an executive order imposing tariffs of up to 15% on most Japanese products—an outcome of a trade agreement reached after weeks of negotiations. Ishiba had previously cited the implementation of the US-Japan trade pact as one of his reasons for continuing to lead the ruling party.

After the LDP lost its joint majority in both houses of parliament, pressure within the party for Ishiba to step down has increased. If over half of the 342 members of parliament and local representatives agree to an early election, the party will hold a new leadership race before Ishiba's term ends.

Ishiba Denies Link Between Trade Achievement and Resignation

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Ishiba made it clear that the implementation of the US-Japan trade agreement has "absolutely no connection" to his decision to stay in office. This statement quashes speculation that he might be preparing an honorable exit route for himself following success in trade talks.

According to CCTV reports, on September 4 local time, the White House issued a statement announcing that President Trump has signed an executive order to officially implement the US-Japan trade agreement. The statement said that under the agreement, the US will levy a 15% baseline tariff on almost all Japanese imports entering the US. This order is the result of a trade agreement reached in July, after several weeks of negotiations by the Japanese side to push the deal through.

Ishiba’s remarks indicate that he either does not intend to tie the trade agreement to his political future or is prepared to use it as an achievement to demonstrate the legitimacy of his continued premiership.

Clear Intra-party Divisions, Key Votes Still Uncertain

According to Nikkei News survey data, out of 295 LDP lawmakers, 111 support holding the leadership election early, with 43 opposed. About half, or 150 lawmakers, have not made their position clear—their stance will determine Ishiba's fate.

Similar polls conducted by Yomiuri Shimbun and NHK over the past week show roughly the same results: about 100 lawmakers support an early election, about 50 oppose. These surveys indicate Ishiba faces a severe challenge.

If a majority of the 342 lawmakers and local delegates agree to an early election in Monday’s vote, the LDP will initiate a new leadership contest before Ishiba's term ends.

Political Rising Stars Become The Focus

Shinjiro Koizumi, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and a prominent political figure due to his family background, is often seen as a future prime ministerial candidate, thus his stance is closely watched. However, Koizumi has consistently avoided giving any hint on whether he supports holding the party leadership election early.

Although some LDP lawmakers speculate that Ishiba may dissolve parliament and call for a general election, Koizumi has ruled out this possibility.

Ishiba’s current predicament stems from the LDP’s loss of majority status in both houses of parliament, leading to increased doubts within the party over his leadership. The result of Monday’s vote will directly determine whether the embattled prime minister can remain in power.

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