Top Aide Rejects Offer

This can be the first major challenge against the leadership of Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, since he took the seat in December 2012. Secretary General of Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru Ishiba, made his mind to reject the offer from Abe to be Minister for Security Legislature, a new position in Abe Cabinet for dealing with discussion in the legislative branch about exercising collective self-defense right. Ishiba is supposed to be starting preparation for running presidential election of LDP in fall 2015 against Abe. Ishiba explained the reason why he would not accept the offer, saying “I have different view on security policy from Abe’s.”

In the presidential election in 2012, Ishiba won the most votes among four candidates including Abe in general election. But, since his vote could not reach simple majority, the election got into second ballot and Abe turned over the game. Concerning the result that Ishiba obtained the most votes from general party affiliates in all over Japan, Abe decided to offer the second highest position in LDP to Ishiba. As General Secretary, Ishiba led the party to a victory in the election of House of Councillors in the summer 2013. It is undeniable that the party could maintain its general support with Ishiba’s popularity.

Abe has been trying to contain Ishiba’s ambition to succeed the leadership. Ishiba has been pretending to be support Abe’s leadership. However, difference between them could not hide away in the issue of collective self-defense. Abe wanted to include the word “collective self-defense right” in the cabinet decision in July, even if it would be a nominal reform of security policy. It was because Abe fundamentally wanted to get a momentum for old establishments, including A-class war criminals, to regain honor as Japanese war leaders. He thought overturning long-time taboo in Japanese security policy would make a symbolic turning point for their revival.

Ishiba knew well that the nominal breakthrough would not make big difference. His main aim is to make Basic Security Law, which determines baselines of new security policy. It will be a listing of what Japan can do within the framework of post-war pacifism, while Abe wanted to destroy.

Struggle between Abe and Ishiba may spread in LDP. There is equivocal frustration in the party against the cabinet decision, which caused steep down of party supporting rate. If opposite parties get together in next election under the cause of protesting the decision, it will definitely work against LDP candidates. When party legislators move for their own interest in election, Abe should not be the best leader for them. New struggle inside LDP should be watched closely.