Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba resigned on Sunday, months after suffering a major defeat in the July parliamentary elections. His decision came amid mounting pressure from members of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to take responsibility for the loss, according to the Associated Press.
Pressure Mounts on Ishiba to Step Down
Calls for Ishiba’s resignation had been growing steadily within his party. For over a month, Ishiba resisted these demands, arguing that stepping down could “cause a political vacuum” in Japan.
However, internal party pressure intensified ahead of a key LDP meeting scheduled for Monday. The party was set to decide whether to hold an early leadership election, which many saw as a de facto vote of no confidence against him.
Realizing the situation, Ishiba chose to resign voluntarily on Sunday. His decision effectively made Monday’s vote unnecessary.
Ishiba Announces Leadership Transition
In a televised press conference, Ishiba confirmed that he would start the process to elect a new party leader.
He said, “I have decided to take responsibility and step down. The process to choose my successor will begin immediately.”
This move shifts the focus to who will lead the LDP next and restore stability within the government.
Ruling Coalition’s Double Defeat
The crisis stems from a series of electoral setbacks. In the July parliamentary elections, Ishiba’s coalition failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house.
Earlier, the coalition had also lost its majority in the lower house, weakening Ishiba’s leadership and eroding public confidence in his government.
These back-to-back defeats fueled discontent within the LDP and raised doubts about Ishiba’s ability to govern effectively.
Key Discussions Before Resignation
Before announcing his resignation, Ishiba met with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
According to AP, both leaders may have advised him to step down to prevent further division within the party and to pave the way for new leadership.