野党に追い込まれ…“大臣更迭”“後任”小泉氏に期待と不安
The de facto dismissal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Eato by Prime Minister Ishiba has resulted from strong scrutiny from opposition parties and has been creating political ripples.
Minister Eato’s statement that he has “never bought rice” has faced public criticism, significantly damaging trust in food policy. As a result, Prime Minister Ishiba was urged to respond to calls for Eato’s resignation and a vote of no confidence. This situation indicates the deep-rooted nature of the problem, as harsh voices have emerged not only from within the government but also from within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Firstly, Minister Eato’s remarks were seen as highly problematic, especially for someone in a position responsible for food policy. Given that soaring rice prices and stable food supply directly impact people’s livelihoods, his comment represents a disconnect between his understanding of the current situation and the feelings of the public, making his resignation a natural consequence.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Ishiba has faced criticism for his delayed response. Voices within the government have expressed, “The decision came too late,” and “If the decision had been made sooner, it wouldn’t have escalated to this extent,” highlighting a lack of leadership.
Additionally, this series of issues raises questions not just about the responsibility of an individual minister but also the Prime Minister’s own accountability in appointments.
The opposition has emphasized this point and is preparing to rigorously question Prime Minister Ishiba during the party leader debate scheduled for the afternoon of the 21st. This is a crucial opportunity for the Prime Minister to explain himself, and how he navigates this challenge will have significant implications for future governance.
On the other hand, former Environment Minister Koizumi is expected to be appointed as Eato’s successor, with senior LDP officials praising him as “the best choice, being reform-oriented and close to the Prime Minister.” There are expectations for Koizumi to effectively communicate, particularly with the upcoming summer House of Councillors election in mind, aiming to revitalize policies and improve the government’s image.
However, some voices within the ruling party express concerns, stating, “It won’t matter if he cannot lower rice prices.” There are both expectations and anxieties surrounding Koizumi, and the focus will be whether he can deliver results, which will also reflect on his capabilities.
This incident has once again highlighted the government’s and ruling party’s crisis management abilities, as well as the significance of policies driven by the perspective of the public. Losing trust in food security— a theme intimately connected to the public’s daily life— could potentially impact the overall approval ratings of the administration. A major challenge for Prime Minister Ishiba will be explaining his delayed judgments and appointment responsibilities while working to restore trust in the administration.
Moreover, the new Minister Koizumi will be required to demonstrate clear results in a short amount of time, which could also influence future political dynamics.
Moving forward, attention will be drawn to Prime Minister Ishiba’s responses during the party leader debate on the 21st and to specific policy developments by Koizumi.
The opposition is expected to continue intensifying its scrutiny, and the ruling party must exert every effort to fulfill its accountability to the public and regain their trust. In the midst of rising political tensions, calm and prompt responses to issues directly affecting voters and citizens’ lives are strongly demanded.
< Reactions from the Internet >
- Expectations and anxieties? There’s nothing but despair.
- A problematic person will take over.
- From one hereditary fool to another.
- It’s not just the minister who should resign; the whole cabinet should step down.
- Shinjiro, step down. Absolutely step down.
- No, there’s only anxiety.
- What a ridiculous choice again… What does Shinjiro Koizumi know about agriculture and fisheries?
- Why are so many foolish ministers appointed? It’s frustrating. The people of Miyazaki are unfortunate.
- Evolving from a gaffe machine to a delusion machine!
What do you all think?
