- Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns after less than a year in office.
- The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its coalition majority in both chambers of parliament.
- Resignation signals rare political instability in one of the world’s most stable democracies.
- Comes amid rising prices, security challenges with China, and rocky U.S.-Japan trade relations.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on Sunday, stepping down after less than a year in office following two devastating parliamentary defeats that stripped the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of its coalition majority in both chambers of parliament.
“Ishiba said he is stepping down as party leader and therefore the leader of the country. He said that he notified Liberal Democratic Party secretary general Hiroshi Moriyama of the procedure to elect a new leader in the wake of his resignation.”
The abrupt resignation marks a turning point for Japan, a nation widely regarded as one of the world’s most stable democracies and a critical U.S. security ally. The LDP, which has held power almost uninterrupted since 1955, is now facing one of its deepest crises in decades.
Ishiba rose to power in October with pledges to tackle Japan’s soaring cost of living and to restore credibility to the LDP after a damaging fundraising scandal. His leadership initially appeared to signal renewal within the party.
However, political momentum quickly shifted. Just weeks into his tenure, the LDP suffered a historic blow by losing its absolute majority in the powerful lower house of parliament — the first time in 15 years.
The real setback, however, came with the July upper house election, where the party once again fell short, leaving the government without a coalition majority in either chamber for the first time in nearly 70 years.
While Ishiba initially resisted calls to resign, pressure mounted within the LDP. Senior party members openly discussed whether to hold a special election to remove him, with a decision expected as soon as Monday. His announcement preempted that internal showdown.
“The instability comes as Japan deals with an unpredictable U.S. president and increasing security threats from China. Japanese officials have also been locked in rocky trade negotiations with the United States under the Trump administration.”
The resignation introduces political volatility at a delicate time. Japan is navigating complex security challenges from Beijing, contentious trade talks with Washington, and a slowing economy weighed down by inflation. Analysts warn the leadership vacuum could weaken Tokyo’s negotiating position on both economic and security fronts.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as the LDP moves swiftly to select a new leader who will inherit the daunting task of stabilizing Japan’s political landscape.
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