TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is increasingly certain to call a snap election, perhaps within weeks, as domestic support surges after a G7 summit that drew a surprise visit by Ukraine's president.
While an election for parliament's more powerful lower house is not due until 2025, Kishida is keen to beef up his strength in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of a leadership race next fall, to ensure his re-election and retain the premiership.
His party's parliamentary majority virtually guarantees its president will be prime minister.
Although Kishida said on Sunday he was not thinking of dissolving parliament now, experts feel he may not be able to resist as favourable conditions stack up.
"He's going to want to do it at the best timing, to give him good results in the LDP race, to give him a mandate," said Airo Hino, a professor of political science at Tokyo's Waseda University.
Holding an election soon would let Kishida benefit from support rates that have shot up 9 percentage points in several polls since the G7 summit began on May 19, as well as perceptions that have strengthened his image as a global leader.
Kishida, who took office in Oct 2021, saw his approval slide to just under 30% in some polls last Nov, battered by revelations of ties between the LDP and the Unification church, but numbers began to edge up with a thaw in ties with South Korea and a trip to Ukraine in March.
Hosting the summit in his home base of Hiroshima, the first city to suffer an atomic bombing in war, also played on sympathy for Ukraine and its suffering.
This received a boost from President Volodymyr Zelinskiy's unexpected appearance, as well as television images of the two leaders offering flowers at a monument to atomic bomb victims.
"For Kishida, Zelenskiy's visit has a unique significance that will help boost his support rating," said Shigenobu Tamura, a political analyst and former LDP staffer.
"In addition, Kishida chaired a summit that raised global issues and included other nations such as India and South Korea, highlighting his actions and stature in the world."
Kishida may also want to ride tailwinds from multi-decade highs in the benchmark Nikkei 225 index, fuelled by strong earnings and signs of economic revival. On Friday, it powered to its highest since 1990. Read full story
Calling an early election could mean less time for the opposition to prepare.
Few of Japan's opposition groups pose a significant threat, but the LDP has a wary eye on the growing strength of the conservative Japan Innovation Party and would like to keep it from joining hands with other parties.
Still, Kishida is expected to hold off on an announcement until his government unveils proposals to combat a falling birthrate and passes a measure to increase defence spending. The current parliamentary session ends on June 21.
But there are also significant risks.
An early election might come too soon to guarantee Kishida the LDP presidency even if the party does well, as a threat looms from rising prices, said analyst Atsuo Ito.
While the LDP has won recent elections, including a handful of by-elections this April, their victories have been far from overwhelming, he added, a point also made by other analysts.
"Prime ministers always gain popularity after summits," Ito added. "The question is whether he can keep it up."
Reuters
Mon May 22 2023
![Riding on G7 success, Japan PM Kishida eyes early election Riding on G7 success, Japan PM Kishida eyes early election](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/81672129390_FumioKishida.jpg)
While an election for parliament's more powerful lower house is not due until 2025, Fumio Kishida is keen to beef up his strength in LDP. - SinarHarian/Filepic
IOC tolak khabar angin pembatalan Sukan Olimpik Paris
Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) menolak "khabar angin" mengenai pembatalan atau penangguhan Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 berikutan situasi politik di Perancis. IOC menyatakan ia adalah sebahagian daripada kempen maklumat palsu.
Warga London berharap tapi tidak optimis
Penduduk di London mempunyai pandangan dan jangkaan yang bercampur baur dengan sebilangan berasa optimistik dengan keputusan yang bakal diterima manakala yang lain mengatakan mereka tidak akan mengundi.
Parti Buruh diramalkan tewaskan Konservatif pimpinan Sunak
Tinjauan pendapat meletakkan parti Starmer di landasan untuk mendapatkan kemenangan besar tetapi juga mencadangkan ramai pengundi hanya mahukan perubahan selepas tempoh perbalahan dan pergolakan di bawah Konservatif
Enam ditahan kes rempuhan di utara India
Insiden itu berlaku pada Selasa (2 Julai) di kampung Phulrai Mughal Garhi, di daerah Hathras, di mana kira-kira 250,000 orang berkumpul untuk mendengar ceramah seorang pendakwah terkenal.
Levi majikan hanya digunakan untuk latihan kemahiran - PSMB
PSMB menegaskan bahawa levi majikan sememangnya hanya digunakan untuk tujuan latihan pekerja mereka sahaja selama ini.
Enakmen Lembah Klang Raya dibentang tahun hadapan - Amirudin
Enakmen Lembah Klang Raya Selangor dijangka dibentang dan dibahaskan di Dewan Undangan Negeri Selangor pada tahun hadapan, kata Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Noh Omar sah sertai Bersatu berkuat kuasa serta-merta
Bekas Pengerusi UMNO Selangor, Tan Sri Noh Omar sah menyertai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) berkuat kuasa serta-merta.
Lelaki ditahan didakwa laku gangguan seksual ketika kempen
Suspek direman selama dua hari untuk siasatan lanjut dan polis memberi jaminan akan menjalankan siasatan secara terperinci.
Muhyiddin dapatkan khidmat Peguam Diraja
Bekas Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mendapatkan khidmat Peguam Diraja (King’s Counsel) untuk menyertai barisan pembelaannya dalam usaha beliau membatalkan keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan yang mengembalikan empat pertuduhan salah guna kuasa terhadapnya.
Dua polis parah, seorang suspek maut
Ketua Polis Daerah Muar ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz berkata melalui siasatan awal, pihaknya mendapati dua anggota polis berkenaan sedang dalam tugasan rondaan dan cuba menahan kereta dinaiki suspek, untuk tujuan pemeriksaan.
![Pertemuan PM Anwar-Kishida nilai kemajuan kerjasama Malaysia-Jepun Pertemuan PM Anwar-Kishida nilai kemajuan kerjasama Malaysia-Jepun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81716449486_tbbilateralduahal.jpg)
Pertemuan PM Anwar-Kishida nilai kemajuan kerjasama Malaysia-Jepun
Menerusi pertemuan itu, kedua-dua pemimpin dapat menilai kemajuan kerjasama antara Malaysia dan Jepun meliputi pelbagai bidang.
![Anwar tiba di Tokyo untuk lawatan kerja tiga hari Anwar tiba di Tokyo untuk lawatan kerja tiga hari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71716385708_tbAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Anwar tiba di Tokyo untuk lawatan kerja tiga hari
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tiba di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Haneda, Tokyo pada Rabu sekitar jam 8:54 malam waktu tempatan dengan pesawat khas dari Kuala Lumpur.
![Anwar ke Jepun bermula Rabu, pertama kali sertai Persidangan Nikkei sebagai Perdana Menteri Anwar ke Jepun bermula Rabu, pertama kali sertai Persidangan Nikkei sebagai Perdana Menteri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/51716291893_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Anwar ke Jepun bermula Rabu, pertama kali sertai Persidangan Nikkei sebagai Perdana Menteri
Anwar juga dijadual menyampaikan ucaptama dalam persidangan tersebut dengan tema 'Asian Leadership in an Uncertain World'.
![PM Kishida lawat AS, kali pertama dalam sembilan tahun PM Kishida lawat AS, kali pertama dalam sembilan tahun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/71702526392_FumioKishida.jpg)
PM Kishida lawat AS, kali pertama dalam sembilan tahun
Fumio Kishida dijangka menghadiri satu sidang kemuncak bersama Presiden AS, Joe Biden pada Rabu di Washington.
![PM Kishida lawat kawasan terjejas gempa bumi PM Kishida lawat kawasan terjejas gempa bumi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61705291036_TBFumioKishida.jpg)
PM Kishida lawat kawasan terjejas gempa bumi
Lawatan itu yang pertama beliau ke kawasan terjejas akibat gempa bumi sejak menerajui pentadbiran negara.
![Gempa bumi: Pihak berkuasa Jepun masih kesan 51 orang dilaporkan hilang Gempa bumi: Pihak berkuasa Jepun masih kesan 51 orang dilaporkan hilang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71704339301_TBAftermathjpg.jpg)
Gempa bumi: Pihak berkuasa Jepun masih kesan 51 orang dilaporkan hilang
Di bandar Wajima yang mencatatkan angka kematian tertinggi akibat bencana itu, enam orang dilaporkan hilang.
![Gempa bumi Jepun: Korban meningkat kepada 78 orang Gempa bumi Jepun: Korban meningkat kepada 78 orang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/81704338377_TBJapanjpg.jpg)
Gempa bumi Jepun: Korban meningkat kepada 78 orang
Bandar Wajima paling teruk terjejas dengan 44 kematian direkodkan.
![PM Jepun Kishida gantikan dua eksekutif parti pemerintah LDP yang dibelenggu skandal PM Jepun Kishida gantikan dua eksekutif parti pemerintah LDP yang dibelenggu skandal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/71702526392_FumioKishida.jpg)
PM Jepun Kishida gantikan dua eksekutif parti pemerintah LDP yang dibelenggu skandal
Perdana Menteri Jepun menggantikan dua eksekutif parti LDP dalam usaha untuk memulihkan kepercayaan orang ramai di tengah-tengah skandal dana politik.
![Lawatan ke Jepun berjaya, tarik potensi pelaburan RM6.56 bilion - PM Anwar Lawatan ke Jepun berjaya, tarik potensi pelaburan RM6.56 bilion - PM Anwar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702899954_AnwarIbrahim.jpg)
Lawatan ke Jepun berjaya, tarik potensi pelaburan RM6.56 bilion - PM Anwar
Lawatan Perdana Menteri ke Jepun dianggap berjaya dan menggalakkan apabila nilai potensi pelaburan yang dibawa pulang berjumlah RM6.56 bilion.
![Anwar, Kishida gesa pembaharuan PBB, Majlis Keselamatan Anwar, Kishida gesa pembaharuan PBB, Majlis Keselamatan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/51702722897_TBbilateralmeeting.jpg)
Anwar, Kishida gesa pembaharuan PBB, Majlis Keselamatan
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan rakan sejawatnya dari Jepun Fumio Kishida menegaskan semula bahawa PBB perlu segera membuat pembaharuan.