China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Faced with rising opposition forces, Abe’s future looks uncertain
Japan’s political landscape is not expected to stabilize to suit Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s style of politics despite the Cabinet reshuffle on Aug 3. Support for his administration is not constant, although approval ratings have risen slightly.
Abe is becoming increasingly unpopular for his alleged involvement in scandals and his high-handed approach to important issues such as security-related legislation. While the Cabinet reshuffle has brought him some relief, big troubles remain. He is still embroiled in controversy for allegedly pressurizing the Ministry of Education to allow his friend Kotaro Kake to open a new veterinary school. Most of the people in Japan say Abe has not yet fully explained the issue in parliament.
The Ministry of Defense, under Tomomi Inada who resigned a week before Abe reshuffled the Cabinet, covered up Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s activities during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. The two houses of parliament held only ad hoc hearings on the scandal on Thursday as demanded by the opposition.
When his approval ratings reached a record high early this year, Abe was certain of leading the ruling Liberal Democratic Party well beyond 2020. But with his rating dipping since then, some LDP lawmakers are revving up for the party’s leadership election in September 2018.
Former Japanese defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has openly criticized the Abe administration, has hinted he could contest the LDP’s top post. Fumio Kishida resigned as foreign minister to become the LDP’s policy chief, in an apparent move to prepare for the leadership election. Shortly after being appointed internal affairs minister, Seiko Noda had said she is ready to take on Abe for the LDP leader’s post. Noda had distanced herself from Abe after her bid to win the LDP leadership election in 2015 failed.
Japan’s political landscape is not expected to stabilize to suit Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s style of politics despite the Cabinet reshuffle on Aug 3.