key takeaways
- Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru remains at risk more than a week after reports emerged of legally questionable gifts to LDP lawmakers.
- His approval ratings have fallen sharply, and his response to parliamentary questioning, far from shoring up his reformist credentials, have damaged his reputation and undermined trust in the LDP (again).
- With opposition parties threatening a potential no-confidence motion later in the session, the LDP may have to weigh pushing Ishiba out now versus having him removed by the opposition later.