At this point in the run-up to a national election, one of the major parties typically feels optimistic and looks forward to the results. Not this time.
The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito is still reeling from the massive defeat in the Lower House election last October, an early and ill-conceived election called by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba that led to the LDP, which had then held a majority on its own, and more shockingly the ruling coalition as a whole, losing its majority.
Since then, nothing positive has occurred for the inexperienced and poorly led Ishiba Cabinet. The LDP is more divided today than it has been in decades. The mismanagement of the political funds reporting scandal by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and then Ishiba, also led to their decisions to isolate the entire conservative wing.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.