key takeaways
- A parliamentary leaders’ debate on Wednesday, 11 June revealed that the political momentum has shifted in Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s favor.
- The prime minister has benefited from rising approval ratings, likely due to his government’s new approach on rice prices, and opposition party missteps.
- It is therefore increasingly likely that the government will not face a no-confidence motion and that Ishiba could lead the ruling coalition to victory in upper house elections.