Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba declared on Sunday night that he would step down as Japan’s leader. He made the announcement at a televised press conference, saying he had “decided to resign” after talks with the United States about tariffs and to keep the ruling Liberal Democratic Party from splitting apart.
Ishiba spoke at the Prime Minister’s Office at about 6 p.m. local time. He told LDP Secretary-General Moriyama to start the process for an extraordinary party leadership election.
He also claimed that he had always said he would not hold on to power and would make a choice at the “appropriate time” after doing what needed to be done. He said that the end of negotiations on U.S. tariffs was that moment. He told NHK, “I have decided to make way for my successors.”
The prime minister said that the move was a tough one made to stop “decisive division” in the party. Lawmakers were getting ready to decide on Monday whether to hold an emergency leadership contest. He added that going through with a formal affirmation of that demand could split the LDP apart.
Ishiba remarked, “I am truly sorry to the public for leaving office in this way.” He also emphasized that he will focus on doing great work during the rest of his time in office. NHK broadcast the comments live.
The choice was made after weeks of pressure from within the party after the LDP lost badly in the upper house election in July and more and more worries about how a minority government would pass laws. Reuters and other news sources also said that Ishiba instructed the party to start an emergency leadership race and that he would stay on until a new leader is chosen.
Next: The LDP was supposed to decide on Monday, September 8, whether to hold a special election to choose Ishiba’s successor. It wasn’t evident right away who the possible candidates were.
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