Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has announced he will step down following mounting pressure from within his party to take responsibility for a heavy defeat in July’s upper house election.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that Ishiba’s decision was aimed at preventing further division in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The Asahi Shimbun newspaper said he had been unable to withstand growing calls for his resignation.
Ishiba, who assumed office in October, had resisted demands for more than a month, primarily from rightwing factions within the LDP. His resignation announcement comes a day before the party was due to decide whether to hold an early leadership election, a move widely seen as a de facto vote of no confidence in his leadership.
Speaking on Sunday, Ishiba said he would initiate the process for a party leadership vote to select his successor, adding that Monday’s planned decision was no longer necessary.
Pressure on Ishiba intensified inability to win majority
The pressure on Ishiba intensified after the ruling coalition failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in July’s parliamentary election. The loss dealt a significant blow to the government’s stability and weakened the prime minister’s authority within the party.
The LDP’s poor performance has been attributed to a combination of economic concerns, voter dissatisfaction with government policies, and internal party divisions. Analysts say the result has emboldened Ishiba’s critics, who have questioned his ability to lead the party into future elections.
The leadership contest to replace Ishiba is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with several senior party figures likely to enter the race. Until a new leader is chosen, Ishiba will remain in office in a caretaker capacity.
His departure marks the end of a short tenure that began less than a year ago, underscoring the political volatility facing Japan’s leadership.
