TOKYO: KOIZUMI Shinjiro, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Election Strategy Committee, on Monday offered to resign to take the blame for the LDP-led ruling camp’s crushing defeat in Sunday’s general election.

The resignation was accepted by Prime Minister and LDP President ISHIBA Shigeru, after the LDP-Komeito coalition lost its majority in the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament.

Ishiba attended an extraordinary meeting of LDP executives at the party’s headquarters Monday morning to discuss ways to rebuild his administration.

Ishiba has indicated his intention to seek cooperation from opposition parties, apparently with the Democratic Party for the People in mind.

After the ruling camp failed to achieve its goal of maintaining a combined Lower House majority in the election, some LDP members are calling on the party leadership team to take responsibility.

But Ishiba has declined to resign, as has LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama.

Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa told a press conference Monday morning that he will continue to support Ishiba. “We will take the election results humbly and solemnly as we manage the administration,” he added.

Regarding the two cabinet ministers who lost their seats in the election, Hayashi said he want them to continue to fulfill their duties. He also stated that neither of them offered to step down from their cabinet posts.

Meanwhile, Komeito leader Keiichi Ishii told a press conference at his party’s headquarters that it will be difficult for him to continue to serve as party leader because he is no longer a Diet member.

But he declined to clarify his future course of action after losing his seat in the election, adding that the party will discuss the matter.

Komeito received a headwind from the LDP’s slush fund scandal, especially the LDP’s payments of 20 million yen each to the local party branches of candidates who were denied official LDP endorsement because of their involvement in the scandal.

JIJI Press