Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has kicked off campaigning for the upcoming Lower House election on Oct. 27, just over two weeks after assuming office on Oct. 1. The focus of the election is trust in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as Ishiba looks to gain voter support following a recent political funds scandal.
The LDP, facing its toughest election since 2012, when it regained power from the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan, is working to restore faith in the party. The LDP has decided not to support twelve lawmakers linked to the scandal, in an effort to clean house and win back public approval.
Despite a decline in support for the Ishiba administration, as shown by a recent Kyodo News poll, the Prime Minister remains determined to convince voters that the LDP has taken necessary steps to address the scandal. With trust in the ruling party at stake, the upcoming election promises to be a significant test for Ishiba and the LDP.