TOKYO, Sept 7: — Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on Sunday announced his resignation as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), less than a year after taking office, following a historic electoral setback and deepening internal divisions.
In a statement posted on X, Ishiba wrote, “Today, I have decided to resign from the position of President of the Liberal Democratic Party.” Hours later, he told a news conference that he would not contest the upcoming special leadership race the party plans to hold.
His resignation comes after the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the Lower House soon after he took power, followed by another blow in July when the coalition failed to secure a majority in the Upper House. The double defeat triggered mounting calls for Ishiba to take responsibility and step aside.
According to NHK World, Ishiba said he reached a deal with the United States on tariff measures, which he described as a key factor in his decision to resign. He added that he has instructed LDP Secretary-General Moriyama Hiroshi to begin preparations for a leadership election under party rules. “I hope the party will promptly move forward in choosing a new president,” Ishiba said.
Party insiders noted that Ishiba’s decision was aimed at limiting further confusion within the LDP, which has been plagued by a series of political fundraising scandals and rifts between factions. “Unity is more important than anything else,” former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro reportedly told Ishiba during a private meeting at his office on Saturday, urging him to step down before lawmakers could trigger a leadership contest.
Despite his pledge to address inflation and pursue party reform, Ishiba faced growing pressure from the LDP’s right-wing factions and a public frustrated by the coalition’s poor electoral performance.
The LDP had been expected to decide on Monday whether to hold a special leadership contest. Ishiba’s resignation clears the way for the race, setting up another test for the party as it seeks to rebuild credibility and regain public trust.
