94-669: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ( 国土交通省 , Kokudo-kōtsū-shō ) , abbreviated MLIT , is a ministry of the Japanese government . It is responsible for one-third of all the laws and orders in Japan and is the largest Japanese ministry in terms of employees, as well as the second-largest executive agency of the Japanese government after the Ministry of Defense . The ministry oversees four external agencies including
188-563: A Shadow Shogun . Unlike his European counterparts , the emperor is not the source of sovereign power and the government does not act under his name. Instead, the emperor represents the state and appoints other high officials in the name of the state, in which the Japanese people hold sovereignty. Article 5 of the Constitution, in accordance with the Imperial Household Law , allows a regency to be established in
282-651: A generalissimo . Although the Emperor was the sovereign who appointed the Shōgun, his roles were ceremonial and he took no part in governing the country. This is often compared to the present role of the Emperor, whose official role is to appoint the Prime Minister. The return of political power to the Emperor (to the Imperial Court) in 1868 meant the resignation of Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu , agreeing to "be
376-576: A state of emergency , and may also dissolve the Diet's House of Representatives at will. The prime minister presides over the Cabinet and appoints, or dismisses, the other Cabinet ministers . Both houses of the National Diet designates the Prime Minister with a ballot cast under the run-off system. Under the Constitution, should both houses not agree on a common candidate, then a joint committee
470-515: A large collection of military-related plastic models, some of which are displayed at his office in the Diet. He is also a fan of the 1970s idol group Candies , is known to ride on sleeper trains to Tottori Prefecture as part of his interest in railways, and regards novelists Soseki Natsume and Ogai Mori as two of his favorite authors. Ishiba is also known as an avid reader, wherein he is noted to read three books daily, and stated that he "prefers reading more than mingle with his party collegues". He
564-573: A newly created office of Minister for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy. He was reported to have declined the offer of a cabinet post responsible for the government's upcoming security legislation. In spite of having been a vocal critic of factionalism in the LDP, Ishiba launched his own faction, the Suigetsukai, on 28 September 2015, with the aim of succeeding sitting prime minister, Shinzo Abe. With 19 members, excluding Ishiba, it
658-519: A path of peaceful development, abide by the principles and common understandings established in the four political documents between the two sides [China and Japan], have an objective and right perception of China, take active and rational China policy, take concrete efforts to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and work with China to promote the sustained, sound and steady development of China-Japan relations ." While campaigning, Ishiba stated that Japan's alliance with
752-612: A pragmatic evaluation of the Chinese threat. Ishiba has criticized Kishida 's use of the phrase "Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow". In 2024, he stated that the reason the US did not defend Ukraine is that Ukraine is not part of a collective self-defense system like NATO . Ishiba argued that the war transformed the global security environment and with the absence of such a collective self-defense system in Asia, wars are likely to break out in
846-455: A selective dual surname system, which would allow married couples the option to retain their respective surnames. Ishiba has stated that this change should be subject to further discussion within the LDP to reach a consensus. Ishiba has expressed his support for same-sex marriage in Japan in his book, Conservative Politician (2024). However after becoming prime minister, Ishiba stated he would take relevant court rulings into consideration since
940-436: A short amount of time ... It's a tacit nuclear deterrent." In 2017, Ishiba reiterated: "Japan should have the technology to build a nuclear weapon if it wants to do so." In 2024, Ishiba said the region should consider introducing nuclear weapons if it wants an Asian version of NATO. Ishiba met his wife Yoshiko Nakamura when they were both students at Keio University . They got married in 1983 and have two daughters. Ishiba
1034-547: A snap general election , where the ruling LDP coalition lost its majority for the first time since 2009 and suffering its second-worst result in party history. Ishiba has developed a reputation as a political maverick due to his willingness to criticize his party, as well as his relatively liberal stances on social issues; he supported a motion of no-confidence against the Miyazawa Cabinet in 1993 and criticized Abe throughout his second premiership, despite serving in
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#17327659517671128-479: A term of four years or less; with no limits imposed on the number of terms the Prime Minister may hold. The Prime Minister heads the Cabinet and exercises "control and supervision" of the executive branch, and is the head of government and commander-in-chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces . The prime minister is vested with the power to present bills to the Diet, to sign laws, to declare
1222-491: A total of 221 votes from both the first and second rounds, defeating Yoshihiko Noda of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan , who secured only 160 votes, following a second round runoff vote. Hours before the Diet assembled, Ishiba's first cabinet resigned, thus resulting in him making an effort to launch a second cabinet. However, it was agreed that his cabinet would mostly remain
1316-599: Is 7.8% at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, 8% at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and only 1.3% at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. On 12 February 2021, Tetsushi Sakamoto was appointed as the Minister of Loneliness to alleviate social isolation and loneliness across different age groups and genders. The emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial Family and
1410-677: Is a Christian , specifically a Protestant . He was baptised at the age of 18 in the Tottori Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan . In recent years he has attended the Evangelical CBMC 's National Prayer Breakfast. He also visits the Buddhist graves of his ancestors and worships at a Shinto shrine. Ishiba is known as an " otaku " with a very high interest in the military, vehicles, and trains, and keeps
1504-607: Is a series of ministry-affiliated government agencies and bureaus responsible for government procedures and activities as of 23 August 2022. The legislative branch organ of Japan is the National Diet ( 国会 ) . It is a bicameral legislature, composing of a lower house, the House of Representatives , and an upper house, the House of Councillors . Empowered by the Constitution to be "the highest organ of State power" and
1598-400: Is allowed to be established to agree on the matter; specifically within a period of ten days, exclusive of the period of recess. However, if both houses still do not agree to each other, the decision made by the House of Representatives is deemed to be that of the National Diet. Upon designation, the Prime Minister is presented with their commission, and then formally appointed to office by
1692-592: Is also the head of an intraparty ramen society that was established to promote the dish. Ishiba made headlines when he allowed a Japan Self-Defense Forces vehicle to be displayed at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, a trade fair for plastic and radio-controlled models. During the visit of former United States Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker in 2002, Ishiba presented a plastic model of the Lockheed P-3 Orion in their meeting at his office. When
1786-507: Is an undeniable fact that my remarks have hurt relevant parties, and I sincerely apologize. I will have to reflect (on my actions) and caution myself against repeating such an act." As a representative for a rural district in Tottori Prefecture (with the smallest population among the forty-seven prefectures) and former "Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy", Ishiba regularly emphasized
1880-647: Is ceremonial and he has no powers related to the Government. Instead, it is the Cabinet , comprising the Prime Minister and the Ministers of State , that directs and controls the government and the civil service . The Cabinet has the executive power and is formed by the prime minister, who is the head of government . The Prime Minister is nominated by the National Diet and appointed to office by
1974-517: Is known as a gunji otaku (military geek) and has a keen interest in military matters. He is known for having a lot of expertise related to weapons systems, legal issues about defense, and is also fond of building and painting models of aircraft and ships. Ishiba has repeatedly stated that he believes that Japan needs its own equivalent of the United States Marine Corps to be able to defend its many small islands. In 2010 when he
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#17327659517672068-532: Is the central government of Japan . It consists of legislative , executive and judiciary branches and functions under the framework established by the Constitution of Japan , adopted in 1947 and written by American officials in the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II . Japan is a unitary state , containing forty-seven administrative divisions , with the Emperor as its head of state . His role
2162-461: Is the only person that has the authority to appoint the prime minister , even though the Diet has the power to designate the person fitted for the position. One such example can be prominently seen in the 2009 Dissolution of the House of Representatives . The House was expected to be dissolved on the advice of the prime minister, but was temporarily unable to do so for the next general election, as both
2256-530: The 1986 general election as a member of the LDP at the age of 29. As a Diet member, Ishiba specialized in agricultural policy and defense policy. He served as parliamentary vice minister of agriculture under the premiership of Kiichi Miyazawa but left the LDP in 1993 to join the Japan Renewal Party . After transitioning through several parties and returning to the LDP in 1997, Ishiba held various prominent positions, including Director-General of
2350-493: The 2021 election which was won by Fumio Kishida . After Kishida announced that he would step down in 2024, Ishiba ran for the fifth and final time in the LDP presidential election where he defeated Sanae Takaichi in a second round run-off, becoming the new party leader and prime minister–designate , and was formally elected Prime Minister by the National Diet on 1 October 2024. As prime minister, Ishiba almost immediately announced
2444-467: The 2021 Liberal Democratic Party leadership election , instead endorsing Taro Kono . Then-LDP leader and prime minister Fumio Kishida announced on 14 August 2024, that he would not seek re-election as LDP leader in the leadership election in September , effectively resigning as prime minister, following record-low approval ratings from an ongoing slush fund scandal and previous controversies with
2538-476: The 2023–2024 Japanese slush fund scandal . On 9 October, Ishiba dissolved the House of Representatives in preparation for the general election on 27 October. On the same day, the LDP decided to pull its endorsement of 12 politicians implicated in the slush fund scandal, and would not allow them to be elected via proportional representation should they lose in their single seat constituencies. Ishiba indicated that
2632-429: The Cabinet is the source of executive power and most of its power is exercised directly by the prime minister , several of its powers are exercised through the Emperor. The powers exercised via the Emperor, as stipulated by Article 7 of the Constitution, are: These powers are exercised in accordance with the binding advice of the Cabinet. The emperor is known to hold the nominal ceremonial authority. For example, he
2726-605: The December 2012 general election in which the LDP returned to government. Ishiba attracted considerable criticism for his statement in November 2013 that likened peaceful public protests against the new secrecy bill being introduced by his government to "acts of terrorism". He later withdrew the comment. In the September 2014 cabinet reshuffle , Abe moved Ishiba from his position as LDP Secretary-General and appointed him to
2820-468: The Emperor . As a candidate designated by the Diet, the prime minister is required to report to the Diet whenever demanded. The prime minister must also be both a civilian and a member of either house of the Diet. The Cabinet of Japan ( 内閣 ) consists of the Ministers of State and the Prime Minister. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the Prime Minister, and under the Cabinet Law,
2914-465: The House of Councilors being the upper house , and the House of Representatives being the lower house . The members of both houses of the Diet are directly elected by the people , who are the source of sovereignty . The Diet is defined as the supreme organ of sovereignty in the Constitution. The Supreme Court and other lower courts make up the Judicial branch and have all the judicial powers in
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism - Misplaced Pages Continue
3008-784: The Japan Coast Guard , the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Japan Tourism Agency . MLIT was established as part of the administrative reforms of January 6, 2001, which merged the Ministry of Transport , the Ministry of Construction , the Hokkaido Development Agency [ ja ] (北海道開発庁 Hokkaidō-kaihatsu-chō ), and the National Land Agency [ ja ] (国土庁 Kokudo-chō ). Before
3102-464: The Japan Self-Defense Forces in response to an appearance by Godzilla . Following Fukuda's resignation, Ishiba stood as a candidate for the LDP presidency. In the leadership election , held on 22 September 2008, Tarō Asō won with 351 of the 527 votes; Ishiba placed fifth and last with 25 votes. In Asō Cabinet , appointed on 24 September 2008, Ishiba was named as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries . He called for Asō to resign after
3196-706: The Mitsui Bank . His father died in 1981. Former prime minister Kakuei Tanaka , who was a friend of his father, served as chairman of the funeral committee. Tanaka encouraged Ishiba to become a politician to carry on his father's legacy. Ishiba left the bank in 1983 and began working in the secretariat of the Thursday Club, Kakuei Tanaka's faction of the Liberal Democratic Party . In the July 1986 election Ishiba ran as an LDP candidate in
3290-737: The National Diet Building , the Imperial Palace , the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister's Office and the ministries are all located. Before the Meiji Restoration , Japan was ruled by the government of a successive military shōgun . During this period, effective power of the government resided in the Shōgun, who officially ruled the country in the name of the Emperor. The Shōgun were the hereditary military governors, with their modern rank equivalent to
3384-1080: The Philippines , India , France , Germany , the United Kingdom , and South Korea in order to form this "Asian NATO". He said that one of the policy's main goals is to protect Japan and that "the security environment surrounding us is the toughest since the end of World War II." This proposed security alliance was quickly dismissed by Daniel Kritenbrink , the United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs . Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also does not agree with Ishiba's idea for an Asian NATO as it does not fit with India's strategic goals. In response to Ishiba's comments regarding an Asian version of NATO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China spokesperson Lin Jian stated that "China hopes that Japan will learn from history, follow
3478-588: The Prussian model of the time. A new aristocracy known as the kazoku was established. It merged the ancient court nobility of the Heian period , the kuge , and the former daimyō , feudal lords subordinate to the shōgun . It also established the Imperial Diet , consisting of the House of Representatives and the House of Peers . Members of the House of Peers were made up of the Imperial Family ,
3572-537: The Secretary-General of the LDP from 2012 to 2014. Ishiba was born into a political family, with his father, Jirō Ishiba , serving as governor of Tottori Prefecture from 1958 to 1974 before later becoming the Minister for Home Affairs . After graduating from Keio University , Ishiba worked at a bank before entering politics after his father's death. Ishiba was elected to the House of Representatives in
3666-464: The deterrence capabilities of the Japan-US alliance. On his first call as prime minister with President Joe Biden , Ishiba said that he wants to further strengthen the U.S.–Japan Alliance. However, he did not mention his desire to make changes to the bilateral forces agreement that would be required in order to make the alliance more symmetrical. He said that he would find the chance to raise
3760-413: The problems between Japan and South Korea is Japan's failure to face up to its wartime responsibility. Ishiba has criticised Japan and its government during World War II, stating that "The government concluded that Japan was doomed to lose a war, yet entered it anyway. They should be held accountable for that", and similarly saying that "I cannot understand why their actions that led to the defeat of
3854-575: The Cabinet cannot be subject to legal action without the consent of the Prime Minister; however, without impairing the right to take legal action. As of 14 December 2023, the makeup of the Cabinet: The ministries of Japan ( 中央省庁 , Chuo shōcho ) consist of eleven executive ministries and the Cabinet Office . Each ministry is headed by a Minister of State , which are mainly senior legislators, and are appointed from among
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism - Misplaced Pages Continue
3948-746: The Defense Agency under the premiership of Junichiro Koizumi , Minister of Defense under the premiership of Yasuo Fukuda and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under the premiership of Tarō Asō . Ishiba became a key figure within the LDP, running for party leadership multiple times. First in 2008 where he placed fifth, and notably against Shinzo Abe in the 2012 and 2018 elections . Despite his criticisms of LDP factionalism , he established his own faction, Suigetsukai , in 2015, aiming for leadership. After Abe's second resignation, Ishiba ran in 2020 but placed third behind Yoshihide Suga . Ishiba declined to run and endorsed Taro Kono in
4042-480: The Diet, drew criticism from opposition parties as it did not allow time for a debate at a budget committee meeting prior to the House's dissolution. Despite this resistance, the Lower House voted in favor of closing the extraordinary Diet session on 9 October. Ishiba was elected by the National Diet and appointed as Prime Minister by Emperor Naruhito at Tokyo Imperial Palace on 1 October 2024, becoming
4136-513: The Emperor and Empress were visiting Canada . In this manner, the emperor 's modern role is often compared to those of the Shogunate period and much of Japan's history , whereby the emperor held great symbolic authority but had little political power ; which is often held by others nominally appointed by the emperor himself. Today, a legacy has somewhat continued for a retired prime minister who still wields considerable power, to be called
4230-473: The Emperor. The current cabinet is Second Ishiba Cabinet , was formed on 11 November 2024, is led by the prime minister Shigeru Ishiba who assumed office on 1 October 2024. The country has had a Liberal Democratic – Komeito coalition minority government since 2024 . The National Diet is the legislature , the organ of the Legislative branch. The Diet is bicameral , consisting of two houses with
4324-540: The Kazoku, and those nominated by the Emperor, while members of the House of Representatives were elected by direct male suffrage. Despite clear distinctions between powers of the executive branch and the Emperor in the Meiji Constitution, ambiguity and contradictions in the Constitution eventually led to a political crisis . It also devalued the notion of civilian control over the military , which meant that
4418-681: The LDP in 1993, for the Japan Renewal Party . When the Japan Renewal Party merged with several other parties Ishiba became part of the New Frontier Party , but he was disillusioned by the constant struggles between Ozawa and non-Ozawa factions in the party and left in 1996. He rejoined the LDP the following year. Ishiba was reappointed parliamentary vice minister of Agriculture under the Mori Cabinet in July 2000 but
4512-483: The LDP presidential election, the new party officials under Ishiba were inaugurated. Ishiba appointed former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vice president of the party, while the outgoing Vice President Tarō Asō was made chief advisor, and Hiroshi Moriyama became secretary general. Shun'ichi Suzuki was made chairman of the General Council after Takaichi declined the post. Itsunori Onodera was made chairman of
4606-492: The LDP's affiliation with the Unification Church . Ishiba, alongside Sanae Takaichi and Shinjirō Koizumi emerged as the front runners to succeed him. In the leadership election on 27 September 2024, Ishiba narrowly defeated Takaichi in a second-round runoff, winning a total of 215 votes (52.57%) from 189 parliamentary members and 26 prefectural chapters, making him the new LDP leader and prime minister–designate ;
4700-495: The LDP's defeat in the 2009 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election . Ishiba retained his seat in the 2009 House of Representatives election , otherwise a crushing defeat for the LDP. After Sadakazu Tanigaki was elected to replace Asō as party president , Ishiba was appointed chairman of the Policy Research Council, one of the top positions in the party. Ishiba was thus one of the most prominent LDP figures when
4794-491: The Policy Research Council and Shinjiro Koizumi chairman of the Election Strategy Committee. The appointments were seen as emphasizing stability in the party. On 30 September, Ishiba announced his plans to dissolve the House of Representatives on 9 October and called for snap general election to be held on 27 October 2024. This decision, which was announced before he was elected Prime Minister by
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#17327659517674888-410: The Prime Minister to appoint some non-elected Diet officials. The Cabinet is required to resign en masse while still continuing its functions, till the appointment of a new Prime Minister, when the following situation arises: Conceptually deriving legitimacy from the Diet, whom it is responsible to, the Cabinet exercises its power in two different ways. In practice, much of its power is exercised by
4982-423: The Prime Minister, while others are exercised nominally by the Emperor. Article 73 of the Constitution of Japan expects the Cabinet to perform the following functions, in addition to general administration: Under the Constitution, all laws and cabinet orders must be signed by the competent Minister and countersigned by the Prime Minister, before being formally promulgated by the Emperor . Also, all members of
5076-542: The Tottori at-large district and was elected to the House of Representatives. At the age of 29, he was the youngest member of the House at the time. As a junior Diet member, Ishiba specialised in agricultural policy, but the Gulf War in 1990 and a 1992 visit to North Korea spurred his interest in defense policy. He served as parliamentary vice minister of agriculture under the Miyazawa Cabinet , before defecting from
5170-549: The Trials were invalid due to the retroactively applying law argue that there were no mistakes in pre-war Japan at all. He argued there was both wrong and right in the pre-war era. Regarding the Nanjing Massacre , Ishiba said: "At the very least, the way prisoners of war were treated was incorrect, and military discipline was broken. We must also examine the civilian casualties which happened." He has refrained from using
5264-650: The US , which he referred to as asymmetrical, should be re-balanced and called for greater Japanese oversight of American military bases in Japan . He said Japan should use the Special Relationship between the US and UK as a model for creating an alliance with the US as equal partners. To become an equal partner, he said Japan must have its own military strategy and a "security system that can protect its own nation by itself". He also suggested that Japan Self-Defense Forces could be placed in Guam to strengthen
5358-460: The ceremonial head of state . He is defined by the Constitution to be "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". However, his role is entirely ceremonial and representative in nature. As explicitly stated in article 4 of the Constitution, he has no powers related to government. Article 6 of the Constitution of Japan delegates the Emperor the following ceremonial roles: While
5452-578: The country , without giving accurate answers to Emperor Shōwa 's questions and without informing the public of the truth, are being left unquestioned as 'we are all heroes once we die.'" He said of the Tokyo Trials that, regardless of the issues in retroactively applying law, Japan is what it is because they "accepted the trials". He further stated that the Tokyo Trials did not condemn everything in pre-war Japan as wrong, and that those who argue
5546-632: The country's constitution regulated marriages. In a 2004 speech to the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF), Ishiba, then Director General of the Japan Defense Agency , said that the SDF "has sometimes been made fun of as the ' autistic forces.' It's the autistic forces as in autistic children." The remark was apparently intended as a pun , as the word he used for "autistic forces" (自閉隊, Jihei-tai ) sounds similar to
5640-438: The economic policies under Kishida's premiership to steer Japan out of years of deflation. He has called for a more "fair" tax system and seeks to increase taxes such as the capital gains tax . He believes the economy can only improve if consumption increases and stated his commitment to raising the minimum wage to 1,500 yen per hour by the end of the decade. During the 2013 North Korean crisis , Ishiba stated that Japan had
5734-402: The election results. Commentators noted that his decision for the snap election election may jeopardize his leadership, as rising inflation and a funding scandal threaten his LDP's majority, prompting potential alliances with smaller parties amid growing economic concerns. On 11 November, Ishiba was reelected as prime minister of a minority government during a session of the Diet, after winning
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#17327659517675828-433: The election was dubbed "Ishibamania" by the foreign media. Ishiba's victory was described by commentators as unexpected and an upset, owing to his long history of failed leadership bids and his relative unpopularity with many LDP members of the National Diet. After his election, the Japanese stock market experienced a sudden drop in response to Ishiba's economic policies, which was named "Ishiba Shock". Three days after
5922-405: The emperor's name, should the emperor be unable to perform his duties. On November 20, 1989, the Supreme Court ruled it doesn't have judicial power over the emperor . The Imperial House of Japan is said to be the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki , Japan was founded by the Imperial House in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu. Emperor Jimmu
6016-416: The era name of Reiwa. Fumihito is the heir presumptive to the Chrysanthemum Throne . The executive branch of Japan is headed by the prime minister . The prime minister is the head of the Cabinet , and is designated by the legislative organ, the National Diet . The Cabinet consists of the Ministers of State and may be appointed or dismissed by the Prime Minister at any time. Explicitly defined to be
6110-418: The governments of both prime ministers. Ishiba was born on 4 February 1957, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo , while his registered domicile was his father's hometown in the Yazu District of Tottori Prefecture . His father Jirō Ishiba was a government official then serving as Vice Minister of Construction . His mother was a teacher and a granddaughter of the Christian minister Michitomo Kanamori . Jirō Ishiba
6204-457: The instrument for carrying out" the Emperor's orders. This event restored the country to Imperial rule and the proclamation of the Empire of Japan . In 1889, the Meiji Constitution was adopted in a move to strengthen Japan to the level of western nations, resulting in the first parliamentary system in Asia. It provided a form of mixed constitutional - absolute monarchy (a semi-constitutional monarchy ), with an independent judiciary, based on
6298-452: The issue with Biden in the future. Following his victory in the 2024 LDP presidential election , some South Korean media outlets have described Ishiba as a " dove " in regards to his perception of Japan's accountability in World War II. For example, in 2019 when South Korea decided to terminate the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) during the Japan–South Korea trade dispute , Ishiba stated that root of many of
6392-426: The legality of the invasion and paved the way for the first overseas deployment of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces without UN mandate, sending troops to Iraq in January 2004 to assist with reconstruction efforts. He left cabinet in September 2004. Ishiba was appointed as the Minister of Defense in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on 26 September 2007, serving in that post until 1 August 2008. Ishiba
6486-424: The members of the Cabinet by the Prime Minister. The Cabinet Office, formally headed by the Prime Minister, is an agency that handles the day-to-day affairs of the Cabinet. The ministries are the most influential part of the daily-exercised executive power, and since few ministers serve for more than a year or so necessary to grab hold of the organisation, most of its power lies within the senior bureaucrats . Below
6580-449: The military could develop and exercise a great influence on politics. Following the end of World War II , the present Constitution of Japan was adopted. It replaced the previous Imperial rule with a form of Western-style liberal democracy . As of 2020, the Japan Research Institute found the national government is mostly analog, because only 7.5% (4,000 of the 55,000) administrative procedures can be completed entirely online. The rate
6674-579: The ministry renamed itself on January 8, 2008, the ministry's English name was "Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport". MLIT is organized into the following bureaus: Japanese government Naruhito [REDACTED] Fumihito [REDACTED] Shigeru Ishiba ( LDP ) Second Ishiba Cabinet ( LDP – Komeito coalition ) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Fukushiro Nukaga Kōichirō Genba [REDACTED] Masakazu Sekiguchi Hiroyuki Nagahama Saburo Tokura Kazuo Ueda The Government of Japan
6768-609: The nation for rejecting responsibility for World War II and Japanese colonisation . Specifically as it comes to Yasukuni, he has argued there is no need for active politicians to visit the shrine, citing that it is the Emperor's responsibility to visit the dead. He has said that it is particularly inappropriate for a prime minister to visit the Yasukuni Shrine due to concerns from China and South Korea. He has criticized visits by politicians as not essential to creating an environment where laws can be passed. Ishiba has not visited
6862-399: The need to address socioeconomic inequality between Japan's urban centers and rural areas, the latter of which faces population decline, aging demographics, and economic stagnation. On election night, Ishiba called on the LDP to propose a supplementary budget for the 2024 fiscal year, aimed at financing a stimulus package to help rural areas cope with rising costs. Ishiba intends to maintain
6956-414: The number of members of the Cabinet appointed, excluding the Prime Minister, must be fourteen or less, but may only be increased to nineteen should a special need arise. Article 68 of the Constitution states that all members of the Cabinet must be civilians and the majority of them must be chosen from among the members of either house of the National Diet . The precise wording leaves an opportunity for
7050-437: The only "sole law-making organ of the State", its houses are both directly elected under a parallel voting system and is ensured by the Constitution to have no discrimination on the qualifications of each members; whether be it based on "race, creed, sex, social status, family origin, education, property or income". The National Diet, therefore, reflects the sovereignty of the people; a principle of popular sovereignty whereby
7144-432: The party was in opposition. He was removed when Tanigaki reshuffled the party leadership in September 2011. In September 2012, while the LDP was still in opposition, Ishiba again stood for the presidency of the LDP and was narrowly defeated by former prime minister Shinzo Abe . He accepted the position of secretary-general on 27 September 2012. Ishiba was re-appointed to the position under Abe's second premiership after
7238-474: The party would resume support for the politicians if they win reelection. Other politicians who have been disciplined by the party over the slush fund scandal would also not be allowed to run on the LDP's proportional representation list. Despite these measures, LDP still faced its most serious defeat since the 2009 election , with 67 seats lost and therefore its majority in the Diet. On the next day, Ishiba expressed his intention to remain as Prime Minister despite
7332-522: The region as there is no obligation for mutual defense. He therefore stated that an Asian collective security alliance is necessary in order to deter China. In September 2024, Ishiba claimed that the "relative decline of U.S. might" necessitates an Asian version of NATO to counter security threats from China, Russia, and North Korea. With the US-Japan alliance at its core, Ishiba proposed strengthening alliance relationships with Australia , Canada ,
7426-499: The regional security situation as among his primary concerns, describing the former as a "quiet emergency" and the latter as at its "most severe since the end of World War II ". He also pledged to continue efforts to ensure the emergence of the Japanese economy from deflation and called for stabilization in the membership of the Imperial House of Japan amid a lack of male successors to the throne . He also expressed regret for
7520-540: The right to deliver a preemptive strike against North Korea . Ishiba is a vocal supporter of Taiwanese democracy . At the same time, he has called for stronger diplomacy and engagement with China, rather than antagonism. In his memoir written during the Russian invasion of Ukraine , Ishiba argued that equating the Russian invasion with a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan stems more from emotional reactions rather than
7614-666: The same. Ishiba's re-election would also mark the first time in 30 years that any Japanese prime minister needed a runoff vote. Ishiba has been described as a centrist , a moderate conservative , and a reformist , particularly during the 2024 Liberal Democratic Party presidential election . While he was cited as a member of the ultranationalist far-right organisation Nippon Kaigi , he has been criticized by nationalist commentators for his "traitorous acts", and for being "anti-Japan", and has pointed to Japan's failure to face its war responsibilities as underlying "many of its problems". Ishiba has expressed support for introducing
7708-486: The shrine since he gained his first cabinet post in 2002. He instead visits his local Gokoku Shrines every 15 August. He is also an advocate of separating Class A war criminals from the shrine. He has defended the Murayama Statement , commenting after Sanae Takaichi said she felt uncomfortable with the statement in 2013 that he would like the party to "refrain from making misleading statements". Ishiba
7802-421: The source of executive power , it is in practice, however, mainly exercised by the prime minister. The practice of its powers is responsible to the Diet, and as a whole, should the Cabinet lose confidence and support to be in office by the Diet, the Diet may dismiss the Cabinet en masse with a motion of no confidence . The Prime Minister of Japan ( 内閣総理大臣 ) is designated by the National Diet and serves
7896-418: The state. The Supreme Court has ultimate judicial authority to interpret the constitution and the power of judicial review . The judicial branch is independent from the executive and the legislative branches. Judges are nominated or appointed by the Cabinet and never removed by the executive or the legislature except during impeachment . The Government of Japan is based in the capital of Tokyo , where
7990-648: The supreme power lies within, in this case, the Japanese people . Shigeru Ishiba [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Shigeru Ishiba ( Japanese : 石破 茂 , Hepburn : Ishiba Shigeru , born 4 February 1957) is a Japanese politician serving as prime minister of Japan and president of the Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP ) since 2024. He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1986 and has served as Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008 and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2009, as well as being
8084-463: The twenty-fifth Liberal Democratic Prime Minister. Ishiba announced key appointments ahead of the snap general election on 27 October 2024. His Cabinet included rivals from the leadership race, though Sanae Takaichi's exclusion created some internal party friction. Uniting the divided ruling party became a primary focus for Ishiba after the closely contested leadership race. In his first policy speech on 4 October, Ishiba named Japan's low birth rate and
8178-448: The word massacre to describe it. When it comes to comfort women , he has stated there was "coercion in the narrow sense", clarifying he meant forced abduction by the government and military. Regarding visits to Yasukuni Shrine by state officials and statements rejecting the wrongs of Japan during World War II, he has questioned if this is in national interest, citing incidents where countries such as South Korea have become upset at
8272-465: The word for Self-Defence Forces (自衛隊; Jiei-tai ). The comment was meant to criticize the SDF for their poor communication, which resulted in a lack of public understanding about their activities. His comment was criticized as being inappropriate and showing a lack of awareness for autistic people. Ishiba later apologized for the comparison, saying "I had read an article that had such a reference, but (my remarks) were truly inappropriate", and added: "It
8366-766: Was elected Governor of Tottori Prefecture in 1958, so the family moved to Tottori; Ishiba has no memory of living in Tokyo. Jirō Ishiba would serve as governor until 1974, and was later elected to the House of Councillors and served as Minister for Home Affairs in the Zenkō Suzuki Cabinet . Shigeru Ishiba grew up and attended school in Tottori Prefecture. After graduating from Tottori University Junior High School, he moved away to attend Keio Senior High School , going on to study law at Keio University in Tokyo. After graduating in 1979, he began working at
8460-513: Was one member short of the 20 votes required for nomination for LDP leadership. Ishiba left cabinet in the April 2016 reshuffle , having declined the ministry of Agriculture. Ishiba challenged Abe in the 2018 LDP presidential election but was defeated again. In 2020, following Shinzo Abe's second resignation, Ishiba ran for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party , losing to Yoshihide Suga , placing third overall. Ishiba declined to run in
8554-464: Was policy chief for the LDP in opposition, and as secretary-general of the party in March 2013 after the LDP regained government. In 2011, Ishiba backed the idea of Japan maintaining the capability of building nuclear weapons . He said: "I don't think Japan needs to possess nuclear weapons, but it's important to maintain our commercial reactors because it would allow us to produce a nuclear warhead in
8648-597: Was switched to the position of deputy director general of the Defense Agency in December. He was replaced when the Koizumi Cabinet was appointed. When Koizumi reshuffled the cabinet in September 2002, Ishiba became Director General of the Defense Agency, entering the cabinet for the first time. Ishiba served as director general during the 2003 invasion of Iraq by an American-led coalition. He defended
8742-504: Was the first Emperor of Japan and the ancestor of all of the Emperors that followed. He is, according to Japanese mythology , the direct descendant of Amaterasu, the sun goddess of the native Shinto religion, through Ninigi , his great-grandfather. The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito . He was officially enthroned on May 1, 2019, following the abdication of his father. He is styled as His Imperial Majesty, and his reign bears
8836-426: Was the second person in the cabinet of Fukuda to express belief in the existence of UFOs after Nobutaka Machimura . Asked on a response to a hypothetical appearance of a UFO, Ishiba said that it would be "difficult" to determine if such an incident amounted to an airspace violation, saying that a UFO was technically not an aircraft from a foreign country. In the same interview, he jokingly said that he would mobilize
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