Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday announced his resignation as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). 68-year-old Ishiba took this decision accepting responsibility for the party’s defeat in the recent elections.
“I have decided to resign as LDP president. I have instructed Secretary-General Moriyama to initiate the presidential election process,” Ishiba said in a televised press conference.
Ishiba has been facing calls for his resignation since he took office as prime minister in October 2023. He warned that his resignation could plunge Japan into political uncertainty, especially as the country faces serious challenges such as US tariffs, inflation, agricultural policy reform and regional tensions.
This decision comes after the LDP-Komeito coalition suffered a significant defeat in the recently concluded upper house elections, in which the coalition lost its majority. Earlier on Friday, Ishiba had committed to implement the economic stimulus package, but pressure from senior party leaders continued to mount.
The LDP will now hold an emergency leadership election. Possible successors include party veteran Sanae Takaichi and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. It is noteworthy that in last year’s election for the post of LDP president, Ishiba defeated Takaichi by a narrow margin.
“Japan has signed important trade agreements. We have completed an important stage. Now I want to pass this responsibility to the next generation,” Ishiba said in his announcement.