TOKYO, Oct 26, V7N- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is facing a high-stakes election on October 27, with polls indicating that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his coalition partner, Komeito, could fail to secure a majority in the lower house. This would mark the LDP’s worst result since 2009 and could be a severe setback for Ishiba, who only recently assumed leadership on October 1.

Ishiba called snap elections soon after taking office, pledging reforms aimed at rejuvenating rural areas and addressing Japan's declining birth rate through family support policies. However, his inconsistent stances on issues like separate surnames for married couples, along with limited female representation in his cabinet, have sparked criticism.

The LDP’s popularity has also been hampered by a recent scandal involving slush funds linked to certain party members, a legacy from Ishiba's predecessor, Fumio Kishida. Ishiba distanced himself from these members but acknowledged that the party allocated significant funds to some candidates’ district offices. This controversy has fueled voter dissatisfaction, intensifying competition with the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is gaining support as a potential conservative alternative to the LDP.

Political analysts suggest that if the ruling coalition falls short of 233 seats, Ishiba might be forced to form alliances with other parties or even lead a minority government. This outcome would place Ishiba’s tenure in jeopardy and likely trigger a reevaluation of leadership within the LDP.

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