Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns Following Historic Electoral Defeat

Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has announced his resignation in the wake of a historic defeat for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in July’s parliamentary elections, which saw the party lose its majority in both the lower and upper houses. His resignation comes amid mounting internal pressure from party elders and a factional divide intensified by the electoral setbacks.

Ishiba, who assumed office in October 2024, highlighted a key achievement in reducing U.S. tariffs from 25% to 15% as a major win for Japan's economy. However, he stated that the timing to step down had arrived to avert deeper divisions within the LDP, particularly with a pending leadership vote that many viewed as a proxy no-confidence motion.

Having served just under a year, Ishiba chose not to participate in the upcoming party leadership contest. His resignation paves the way for a leadership election expected in October. Key candidates to succeed him include Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.

As Ishiba prepares to remain in office until his successor is selected and approved by the Diet, his departure underscores a period of political volatility in Japan, characterized by weakened government control and ongoing challenges in governance.

Sources: Associated Press, Financial Times