Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba resigns to avert party split after historic defeat
Ishiba, who assumed office in October, had resisted pressure from right-wing factions within his party for over a month, arguing that resigning would create a political vacuum in the country.
PTC News Desk: Shigeru Ishiba stepped down as Japanese Prime Minister on Sunday, months after he faced a historic defeat in the July Parliamentary elections in the country. The decision follows growing calls for his resignation frm within his Liberal Democratic Party, urging him to take responsibility for the defeat.
Ishiba, who assumed office in October, had resisted pressure from right-wing factions within his party for over a month, arguing that resigning would create a political vacuum in the country.
During his tenure, he pointed to US-imposed tariffs and their effects on Japan’s economy, rising prices, reforms in rice policy, and increasing regional tensions.
His resignation comes just a day before the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was set to decide on holding an early leadership election — a move that, if approved, would have amounted to a de facto no-confidence vote. At a televised press conference, however, Ishiba announced that he would trigger the process to elect his successor, rendering Monday’s planned decision unnecessary.
The move follows the ruling coalition’s setback in July’s parliamentary elections, where it failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house, further weakening Ishiba’s government. This loss came on the heels of an earlier defeat in the lower house, where the LDP-led coalition also failed to win a majority.
Ahead of the scheduled vote, Ishiba met with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who, according to AP, may have advised him to step down.
Last week, the LDP announced it would review the election defeats and undertake a “complete overhaul” of the party. The party is now preparing for its presidential election, expected to be held in early October.