Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru,  speaking at the ruling Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) 92nd convention on Sunday, vowed to re-set the party and move forward “as a conservative group that always strives for progress.”

“I am committed to being humble and attentive to the voices of the people, who are the true rulers of Japan. I aim to restore the humility we once had,” Ishiba emphasized at a grand gathering of hundreds of the LDP members and leaders of the Komeito party and Workers Union.

Since assuming the country’s top post in October, Prime Minister Ishiba, also the President of LDP,  has struggled to convince the public that he’s the right man for the job.

“We are dedicated to supporting a wide range of people affected by high prices and implementing detailed measures tailored to the actual conditions of each region,” Ishiba assured, underlining his commitment to addressing these pressing issues.

Ishiba also expressed his desire to appeal to young people and non-partisan voters to create a more inclusive and engaging political landscape.

Prime Minister Ishiba also said one change he has made is to drop the plan to raise the amount Japanese pay for health care.

This summer, the looming House of Councilors’ election is the biggest concern for the ruling party, whose members are concerned about how it would affect their seats. The House of Councilors is the upper house of the National Diet, Japan’s bicameral legislature and its members are elected to six-year terms. In the Sunday convention, the candidates for that election were introduced to a festive atmosphere with music and songs by leading Japanese artists. A modern dance show was also performed to give the impression the party was in positive energy, moving to Ishiba tunes at the helm, promising to revive the politics and maintain the long-held position of ruling Japan.

Ishiba’s speech touched upon the main issues facing the government, including the medical expenses and other social solutions to the high prices in the country.

Ishiba’s LDP leads a minority government and has had to compromise with some small parties to pass main legislation, such as the 2005 budget. The party has 196 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives and 113 of the 248 seats in the House of Councillors. The government led by Ishiba’s party has a smaller partner, the Komeito party, which has 24 and 27 seats in the House of Representatives and Councilors.