Japan's Suga Drops 'House of Representatives Dissolution Before Party Leadership Election' After Former PM Abe's Objection

▲Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Japan [Image source=Reuters News Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] It has been reported that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga abandoned the 'Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president dissolving the House of Representatives' card following objections from former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and others.

According to the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun on the 2nd, Prime Minister Suga responded to reporters' questions about dissolving the House of Representatives the previous day by saying, "The top priority is COVID-19 measures," and added, "In such a serious situation as now, dissolution is impossible."

He also said regarding the LDP presidential election scheduled for the 29th, "I have no intention of postponing it."

Earlier, on the night of the 31st of last month, Prime Minister Suga hinted at considering an early dissolution of the House of Representatives during a meeting with LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai at the Akasaka House of Representatives dormitory. It is known that at this meeting, Suga conveyed the idea that dissolution in mid-September could be an option besides the House of Representatives election scheduled to expire on October 21.

As this news became known, unrest and opposition spread within the LDP, and it was reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso contacted former Prime Minister Abe upon hearing the news. Eventually, former Prime Minister Abe and Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi persuaded Prime Minister Suga on the 31st of last month, bringing the controversy to a temporary close. It is also reported that Environment Minister Koizumi had a meeting with Prime Minister Suga at the Prime Minister's Official Residence for about 30 minutes on the 1st.

With Prime Minister Suga effectively giving up on a mid-September dissolution due to internal party opposition, the likelihood of a House of Representatives election due to the expiration of his term has increased.

The schedule for the House of Representatives election is expected to be decided at the Cabinet meeting (State Council) around mid to late this month.

October 5 is likely to be the official announcement date, with voting and counting scheduled for the 17th of the same month.

The controversy surrounding the dissolution of the House of Representatives has also raised the possibility that Prime Minister Suga's position within the LDP may be shaken.

The Sankei Shimbun forecasted, "It is inevitable that the Prime Minister's centripetal force will weaken as it becomes difficult to exercise the dissolution right," and added, "This may also affect the Prime Minister's re-election strategy in the LDP presidential election."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.