Tokyo: Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba announced that he will step down, bowing to mounting pressure within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to take responsibility for a historic electoral defeat in July.
Ishiba, who took office less than a year ago, had resisted calls for weeks to resign, arguing that his departure would create a political vacuum at a time when Japan faces economic pressures, rising prices, U.S. tariffs, and regional tensions. But after a series of meetings with senior party figures, including Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, he agreed to step aside.
The announcement came just a day before the LDP was to decide on holding an early leadership election, which was widely viewed as a vote of no confidence in Ishiba. His decision pre-empted that showdown, clearing the way for a leadership contest expected in early October.
In July, Ishiba’s ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house of parliament, compounding an earlier setback in the lower house. The double blow eroded his authority and exposed deep rifts inside the party.
A party review last week described the defeats as a complete overhaul moment, triggering a wave of calls for new leadership. Conservative heavyweight Taro Aso, a long-time Ishiba rival, and several cabinet members pushed for an early leadership vote. Former Health Minister Norihisa Tamura also urged Ishiba to quit to prevent further division.
本日、自由民主党総裁の職を辞することといたしました。 pic.twitter.com/eu87u3ovsz
— 石破茂 (@shigeruishiba) September 7, 2025
With Ishiba stepping down, the LDP will soon set a date for its presidential election. Leading contenders include Koizumi, who is seen as a rising star; ultra-conservative former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi; and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, a moderate and ally of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Whoever emerges as leader will inherit the challenge of running a minority government. The LDP will need cooperation from fragmented opposition parties to pass legislation, thereby increasing the risk of frequent no-confidence motions if a consensus cannot be secured.
Despite the turmoil at home, Ishiba made strides in foreign policy. He persuaded US President Donald Trump to lower tariffs on Japanese goods from 25 percent to 15 percent and expressed hope for a golden era in the Japan-US alliance. He also invited Trump to visit Japan, underscoring his focus on strengthening bilateral ties.
Still, the election defeats overshadowed those efforts. LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama, Ishiba’s top aide and key negotiator with opposition parties, has also offered to resign, further weakening the administration.
Ishiba’s resignation brings an abrupt end to his tenure, marked by both diplomatic breakthroughs and domestic political instability. His departure sets the stage for yet another leadership contest in Japan, where frequent changes at the top have long been a hallmark of politics.
