Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Abruptly Announces Resignation Amid Party Defeats
In a sudden move, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his intention to resign on Sunday, citing the need to prevent further division within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following its historic defeat in a parliamentary election. According to multiple sources, including NHK public television and Reuters, Ishiba's resignation comes as the party prepares to hold an early leadership election.
Ishiba's decision to step down follows two major election losses for the LDP, which has governed Japan for almost seven decades. In July, the party lost its majority in the upper house of parliament, marking a significant setback for the ruling coalition. The move is seen as a strategic attempt by Ishiba to avoid exacerbating tensions within the party and minority government.
According to Reuters, Ishiba had struggled to inspire confidence as Japan faced economic headwinds, including a decline in GDP growth and rising unemployment. "Ishiba had been under pressure from within his own party to take responsibility for the election losses," said an anonymous source close to the LDP, according to Reuters.
The resignation is also seen as a response to growing calls from within the party for Ishiba to step down. "The prime minister's decision to resign is a pragmatic move to prevent further division within the party," said Kenji Shibata, a Japanese politics expert at Sophia University in Tokyo, according to NPR News. "It's clear that Ishiba has lost the confidence of his own party members."
Ishiba took office in October 2024 and had been expected to lead the LDP through the upcoming elections. However, his leadership was marred by controversy and criticism over his handling of economic policies and foreign relations.
The resignation sets off a chain reaction within the LDP, which is now expected to hold an early leadership election. According to NPR News, Ishiba's decision to step down before the party's internal leadership vote is seen as a strategic move to avoid exacerbating tensions within the party.
As Japan faces a period of political uncertainty, experts warn that the country may see further instability in the coming months. "The resignation of Prime Minister Ishiba marks a significant turning point for Japan's politics," said Shibata. "It remains to be seen how this will impact the country's economic and foreign policies."
In a statement, Ishiba expressed his gratitude to his party members and the Japanese people for their support during his tenure as prime minister. He also acknowledged that his resignation was necessary to prevent further division within the LDP.
The current status of Japan's politics remains uncertain, with several potential candidates emerging to replace Ishiba as leader of the LDP. The next steps will be crucial in determining the future direction of the party and the country.
Sources:
Reuters: "Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns"
NHK public television: "Japanese PM Ishiba announces resignation"
NPR News: "DEVELOPING: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Abruptly Announces Resignation"
BBC World: "Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns"
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World, NPR Politics, NPR News and BREAKING: NPR News.
