Tokyo: Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation following mounting pressure from within his party to take responsibility for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) historic loss in July’s parliamentary election.
Ishiba, who assumed office in October last year, had resisted demands for weeks from predominantly right-wing rivals within the LDP. However, he confirmed his decision on Sunday, just a day before the party was set to vote on whether to hold an early leadership contest — a move widely seen as a no-confidence motion against him.
“I will initiate a process to hold a party leadership election to choose my successor,” Ishiba said, adding that Monday’s planned decision was no longer necessary.
The resignation marks a significant shift in Japan’s political landscape, with the LDP now preparing for a new leadership vote to determine Ishiba’s replacement.
