Japan Holds Special Parliamentary Session For Prime Minister Election

According to PANews, Japan convened a special parliamentary session on November 11 to conduct the prime ministerial election. During the first round of voting in the House of Representatives, no candidate secured the required number of votes, leading to a runoff. The top two candidates advancing to the next round are Shigeru Ishiba, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Yoshihiko Noda, the head of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party. The election follows recent developments where the ruling coalition in Japan failed to secure a majority in the House of Representatives. This situation has raised the possibility that Shigeru Ishiba could become one of Japan's shortest-serving prime ministers if elected. The outcome of the runoff vote will determine the next leader, as both candidates prepare for the decisive round. The political landscape in Japan remains uncertain, with the potential for significant shifts depending on the election results.