A: Yo, Takashi! Heard any news lately?

B: Not really, Shun. What's up?

A: Well, it looks like our boss, Ishiba, is under some pressure because of the LDP's losses in the Upper House election.

B: Oh no! What did they say he should do?

A: He and other executives decided to call a big meeting called the Joint Plenary Meeting with both houses of the Diet.

B: That sounds serious, Shun. Ishiba's not taking this lightly though, right?

A: Nope! He admitted he's been getting some rough criticism and said he'd listen to all opinions and make changes if needed.

B: Wow, that's big of him! But what about the meeting, will it bring forward the party election?

A: It could, but Moriyama thinks it's complex and the party's presidential election management committee might get involved too.

B: Sounds like they're trying to sort things out for the good of the party, Shun! Good luck to them!
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Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has decided to convene a key decision-making meeting soon.



The move comes as Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who heads the party, faces pressure to take responsibility for the LDP's losses in the recent Upper House election.



Ishiba and other LDP executives decided on Tuesday to hold the Joint Plenary Meeting of both houses of the Diet.



Ishiba referred to harsh criticism of him at a meeting of party lawmakers the previous day. He said he will accept the opinions in good faith, and make appropriate decisions on the management of the party and his administration.



LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi later told reporters that party members have called for the Joint Plenary to be held, and such calls should be respected.



The party's mid-ranked and young lawmakers have been collecting signatures to seek the Joint Plenary. Moriyama said it is possible to convene the meeting without going through such procedures.



Moriyama said the Chair of the Joint Plenary will listen to the opinions of the lawmakers who have been calling for the meeting.



Asked if the Joint Plenary could decide to bring forward the date of the party's presidential election, Moriyama said the issue is extremely complicated.



He suggested that the party's presidential election management committee would be involved in the issue.
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Quiz 1:
What does the Liberal Democratic Party plan to do soon?
A. Hold a party convention
B. Convene a Joint Plenary Meeting of both houses of the Diet
C. Announce a new political policy
D. Organize a meeting with opposition parties

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
Who among the following is NOT involved in deciding to hold the Joint Plenary Meeting?
A. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru
B. Party Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi
C. Chair of the Joint Plenary
D. Mid-ranked and young lawmakers

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 2: C

Quiz 3:
What is the role of the Chair of the Joint Plenary in this context?
A. To listen to the opinions of the lawmakers who have been calling for the meeting
B. To announce a new political policy
C. To organize a party convention
D. To manage the party's presidential election

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 3: A