Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Sunday that he will resign, giving in to rising pressure from his own party. The decision comes after his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered a historic defeat in July’s parliamentary elections.
Ishiba, who became Prime Minister in October last year, had resisted calls to step down for weeks. He argued that his resignation might leave Japan without strong leadership during a period of serious domestic and international challenges. However, demands from party rivals and senior leaders grew too strong to ignore.
The resignation comes just a day before the LDP was set to discuss whether to hold an early leadership election, which many viewed as a no-confidence move against him. Ishiba confirmed during a televised press conference that the party will now vote to choose his successor.
Analysts say that even if Ishiba had stayed, he would have struggled to manage a divided party and minority government. The July election left the ruling coalition unable to secure a majority in the 248-seat Upper House.
With Ishiba stepping aside, the LDP faces the urgent task of restoring unity and finding a leader capable of guiding Japan through its current political and economic challenges.
