TOKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation after less than a year in office, following two significant election defeats for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The decision comes just a day before a potential internal leadership vote that could have forced his departure.
Under Ishiba’s leadership, the LDP lost its majority in the lower house for the first time in 15 years and then lost control of the upper house in July. The party has dominated Japanese politics for most of the past seven decades.
Ishiba cited the recent resolution of U.S. tariff negotiations as the appropriate time to step down, referencing a deal signed last week with U.S. President Donald Trump to ease tariffs on Japanese exports. “Now that a conclusion has been reached in the negotiations concerning the U.S. tariff measures, I believe this is precisely the appropriate time,” he said. He had previously resisted calls to resign, insisting it was his responsibility to settle the dispute with Washington first.
The 68-year-old added he would continue to serve until a successor is chosen. The LDP is now tasked with selecting a new leader, who will become prime minister following a parliamentary vote. Ishiba, who took office in October 2024, struggled to maintain public confidence amid economic challenges, a cost-of-living crisis, and tensions with the U.S. His popularity also declined following controversies over cabinet appointments and expensive gifts to party members.
Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. ally, now faces political uncertainty amid rising tensions with China and growing regional security concerns.
Source: ABC