LDP to Hold Joint Meeting Amidst Post-Election Dissent

On July 29th, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attended an executive meeting at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo. Following the party's recent election defeat, the Liberal Democratic Party is set to hold a joint plenary meeting for its lawmakers from both Diet chambers.

Party executives made the decision for the meeting at their gathering on the 29th of July. This comes just over a week after the party and its coalition partner, Komeito, lost their majority in the Upper House. Prime Minister Ishiba has stated his intention to explain his decision to remain in office, seeking the support of the lawmakers.

The calls for a higher-level meeting have intensified, particularly from factions within the party advocating for Ishiba's resignation. These groups are aiming to pressure Ishiba by potentially initiating an LDP presidential election. The specific agenda for the upcoming meeting remains undetermined.

According to the party's secretary-general, Hiroshi Moriyama, the meeting will provide a platform to address the concerns raised by those requesting the meeting. A joint plenary meeting of both houses holds significant importance within the party, second only to the party's convention, and allows for voting on important matters.

Under the LDP's regulations, a joint plenary meeting must be convened within seven days if more than one-third of the party's Diet members request it. An internal petition has been actively pursuing this outcome, with mid-level and younger LDP members claiming to have gathered enough signatures to trigger the meeting.