A vote is mandatory following a general election, and Ishiba is expected to be re-elected in a runoff against the top opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda.

Japanese social media was quick to point out that PM Shigeru Ishiba appeared to doze off during Monday’s vote in parliament for a new prime minister. The reason? Cold medicine, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, who’s seen in the video beside Ishiba, checking if he’s alright. pic.twitter.com/CY6PX864Vl

Parliament voted Monday to stick with Mr. Ishiba, who will lead a minority government after his party suffered heavy losses in an election last month.