Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba Resigns Amid Party Pressure After Election Losses
Tokyo, September 7: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stepped down from his role as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, ending his 11-month tenure. He made the announcement on Sunday, facing intense pressure from within the LDP due to recent electoral defeats. Local media outlets, including The Japan Times, report that this move paves the way for a new leadership election in the party.
In a televised press conference, the 68-year-old Ishiba shared his decision with a mix of resolve and emotion. "I have decided to resign from my position as president of the Liberal Democratic Party," he said. He instructed LDP Secretary-General Moriyama to start the process for a presidential election right away. "I would like him to begin the process of selecting a new president," Ishiba added, his voice breaking as he spoke about passing the baton to the next generation.
Ishiba took office last October and had stubbornly resisted calls to quit for weeks. He even warned that his exit could create a political vacuum in Japan, especially with major challenges like US tariffs, soaring prices, rice policy reforms, and rising tensions in the region. Just days ago, on Friday, he vowed to stay on and push through an economic stimulus package to tackle these issues head-on.
But the pressure became too much to ignore. The LDP-Komeito coalition suffered a major blow in the recent Upper House elections, losing its majority in the parliament. This setback fueled demands from senior party members for Ishiba to step aside before an upcoming leadership vote, hoping to heal party divisions and avoid further damage.
Ishiba’s resignation comes just one day before the LDP planned to discuss holding an early presidential election. Now, the party will launch an emergency leadership contest to pick his successor. Top contenders include Sanae Takaichi, a veteran LDP figure who’s been vocal against the Bank of Japan’s interest rate hikes, and Shinjiro Koizumi, the current farm minister and a promising young leader in Japanese politics. Interestingly, Ishiba had edged out Takaichi in a close LDP runoff last year to become president.
As Japan navigates these turbulent times, the quick transition aims to stabilize the government and address ongoing economic and foreign policy hurdles. Stay tuned for updates on the LDP leadership race and its impact on Japan’s political landscape.
