Japan ruling party's old factions work to oust Ishiba, but risk backlash

Infighting makes lawmakers appear out of sync with voter concerns

Three former lawmaker factions within Japan's Liberal Democratic Party are working together to unseat Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over the party's poor electoral performance. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

RINTO HORIKOSHI and RYO NAKAMURA

August 5, 2025 04:21 JST

TOKYO -- As Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba continues to face a push to step down after the Liberal Democratic Party's drubbing in last month's election, the prominent role played by supposedly defunct LDP factions in the efforts risks drawing public criticism or even boosting the leader's support.