Despite numerous calls to resign during a lengthy discussion session on the upper house election Monday, 29 July, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru insisted he would stay in office.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) preemptively announced it would convene a general meeting of lawmakers before anti-Ishiba rebels even submitted their petition calling for one; it is unclear how close the rebels have come to a majority or what motions they will submit during the general meeting.
Ishiba, in staying this long, has likely inflicted a lasting wound on the party that makes his continuing leadership unthinkable but could also frustrate party unity going forward.
