Overview

• LDP secretary-general Hiroshi Moriyama said he intends to step down to take responsibility for July’s Upper House loss, leaving the final decision to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
• A finalized party post-mortem blamed the defeat on party-wide weaknesses in policy, messaging, and outreach to younger voters without singling out Ishiba.
• Other senior figures, including general council chair Shunichi Suzuki and policy chief Itsunori Onodera, have conveyed plans to quit, according to Jiji Press.
• Party rules allow an early leadership contest if a majority of LDP lawmakers and prefectural chapters submit requests, with surveying under way and a decision possible by Sept. 8.
• Internal opposition has intensified, with reports that Taro Aso backs an early contest and Sanae Takaichi signaling interest, even as public polls show Ishiba’s approval has recently improved.