Japan’s Ishiba finds unlikely support to stay in power, and prevent far-right shift
Fears of a ‘far-right’ government have sparked an unlikely online campaign, even among political opponents, urging Shigeru Ishiba to stay in power
The life raft has emerged since upper house elections on Sunday deprived Ishiba’s coalition of an upper house majority, months after it suffered a similar disaster in the lower chamber.
Despite Ishiba, 68, insisting that he has not discussed his resignation with members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), multiple reports say that it is just a matter of time.
Some conservative members of the LDP are collecting signatures to hold a special meeting to discuss a leadership election to oust Ishiba, Fuji TV reported on Friday.
One reported signee is Sanae Takaichi, a hardline nationalist and one-time heavy metal drummer who lost a leadership contest to Ishiba in September.
Takaichi, 64, would likely run again to lead the party – and become Japan’s first woman prime minister if she wins – if Ishiba does depart.