Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on Sunday, amid mounting pressure from within his party following a crushing defeat in July’s parliamentary elections.
Ishiba, who took office last October, had resisted calls from rivals inside the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to step down, arguing that his resignation could create instability at a time when Japan faces pressing domestic and international challenges. Ishiba’s fractured party while navigating a minority government was weakened by back-to-back electoral setbacks. His coalition lost its majority in the 248-seat upper house in July, compounding an earlier loss of control in the lower house. After weeks of intensifying criticism, he ultimately agreed to resign.
The prime minister’s decision followed a private meeting Saturday with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his longtime mentor, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Both reportedly urged him to resign before the party’s leadership discussions. Ishiba said during a press conference: “I have consistently stated that I do not intend to cling to this position, and that I would make a decision at the appropriate time after accomplishing what needed to be done. I believe this is precisely the appropriate timing. I have therefore decided to step aside and make way for my successor.”
Ishiba’s announcement came just one day before the LDP was set to decide on whether to call an early leadership race—an effective vote of no confidence had it gone ahead. Instead, Ishiba confirmed that he would begin the process for a party leadership election to select his successor, making Monday’s planned decision unnecessary. Ishiba’s top aide LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama, a key figure in negotiations with the opposition, has also offered to resign over the election defeat. Moriyama expressed his intention to step down on Sept. 2 over the election loss, though Ishiba hasn’t granted his resignation.
Pressure escalated after the LDP last week adopted a post-election review calling for a “complete overhaul” of the party, fueling demands for either his resignation or an immediate leadership contest. Prominent conservatives, including veteran lawmaker Taro Aso—one of Ishiba’s fiercest critics—joined several cabinet ministers and deputy ministers in pressing for a swift leadership vote. In addition, Former Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said that Ishiba should “settle” the issue before Monday’s party meeting to prevent further division.
With Ishiba’s resignation confirmed, the LDP is now expected to schedule a leadership election for early October. Potential contenders include Koizumi; former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative; and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, a centrist closely aligned with former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
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