Prime Minister Ishiba announced his resignation Sunday, citing the importance of reaching a tariff agreement between Japan and the United States as a key factor in his decision to hand over his position to a successor, while voicing deep regret over failing to meet expectations as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader.
At a press conference, Ishiba said that his government’s economic growth strategies, which focused on increasing wages, have been “bearing fruit.” However, he took responsibility for the major setback that the LDP suffered in the July 20 House of Councilors election.
Ishiba expressed hope that his successor will maintain strong relations with the United States and other key partners, saying his resignation is meant to avoid a “decisive split” in the LDP.
His decision to step down comes a day before the LDP decides whether to hold a presidential contest.
On Monday, the LDP plans to collect signatures from its lawmakers to determine whether to hold a presidential election ahead of the scheduled contest in 2027, amid mounting calls for Ishiba to take responsibility for the loss of the ruling coalition’s majority in the House of Councilors election in July.
Criticism of Ishiba has grown in recent days, even among his allies, as he has vowed to stay on.
Ishiba became prime minister on his fifth try for the LDP presidency, but his ruling coalition lost its majority in the lower house of the Diet in a general election later that month.
On July 20, the ruling bloc of the LDP and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, lost their majority in the upper house election.
