Nippon Ishin no Kai is facing a major internal shake-up due to recent party leadership resignations. Co-leader Seiji Maehara announced his resignation at an emergency executive meeting. Additionally, three senior officials will also step down. This decision follows poor results in the July House of Councillors election. Maehara explained that fresh leadership is necessary to help reunite the party and rebuild internal trust. He emphasized that a renewed executive team could revitalize support and direction.
At the same meeting, Secretary-General Ryohei Iwatani, general council chair Tsukasa Abe, and parliamentary affairs chief Joji Uruma also offered their resignations. Party leader Hirofumi Yoshimura confirmed plans to reshuffle the leadership team but has not revealed the full strategy yet. Yoshimura said the party will decide soon whether to hold a leadership election. If not, he intends to continue as leader. Former secretary-general Fumitake Fujita is expected to be a possible contender for leadership.
The recent election results triggered these developments. Ishin won only seven seats in the upper house, falling short of expectations. The outcome raised questions about party strategy, unity, and national appeal.
Analysts believe the party leadership resignations underline deeper structural challenges within the organization. While Ishin has strong regional influence, especially in Osaka, its national reach remains limited. Internal divisions have also hampered effective policy communication. Maehara highlighted the importance of revising policy coordination and considering alliances with other opposition forces. He urged the party to modernize its structure to remain competitive in future elections.
Despite electoral losses, Yoshimura dismissed suggestions that he should resign. He reaffirmed that the party will not align with the ruling bloc but will consider cooperation on shared issues. Meanwhile, regional branches, including those in Nagano and Osaka, plan to rebuild local support networks. Young leaders are expected to rise and take more visible roles at the national level. In the coming weeks, Ishin must navigate this transition carefully. The success of the party’s recovery will depend on leadership clarity, stronger messaging, and unified strategy.
