Japan’s newly elected prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, forms Cabinet with emphasis on defense
PBS NewsHourSEP 2024
Ishiba Re-Elected as Japan's Prime Minister
Above: Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's official residence on Nov. 11, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Image copyright: Kiyoshi Ota/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
While the ruling coalition failed to secure a majority in the lower house in the snap general election last month, it's only natural that Ishiba stays as prime minister given that his political party remains the largest in the country. In fact, while his approval ratings are low, polls show most people believe Ishiba must remain in office.
Narrative B
That Ishiba won the parliamentary vote to stay prime minister doesn't change the fact that Japanese voters have left him and his ruling coalition without a clear mandate to govern the country. Once he's able to pass the budget bills, Ishiba must resign and allow the Liberal Democratic Party to choose another leader.