Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Step Down in September
In a surprising turn of events, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not seek re-election as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The 67-year-old veteran politician is expected to step down as PM after the party elects a new leader in September.
Mr. Kishida’s decision comes as support for him has waned in the wake of a corruption scandal involving his party, rising living costs, and a slumping yen. His approval ratings hit a low of 15.5% last month, the lowest for a PM in over a decade.
“At a press conference on Wednesday, Mr. Kishida stated, “In the upcoming presidential election, it’s necessary to show the people that the Liberal Democratic Party will change. A transparent and open election, and free and open debate are important. The first easy-to-understand step that indicates that the LDP will change is for me to step back.”
While some within the party have doubted Mr. Kishida’s ability to lead the LDP to victory in the next general election in 2025, his announcement still came as a shock to LDP leaders. A senior leader revealed that he had tried to persuade Mr. Kishida to run for office, but the prime minister deemed it “irresponsible.”
Analysts have described Japan as going through a “once-in-a-generation” political crisis as the ruling party grapples with cleaning up its image. Last December, several LDP cabinet ministers resigned over a fundraising scandal, further eroding public trust in the party.
Despite facing challenges domestically, Mr. Kishida made headlines for his diplomacy during his tenure. He oversaw Japan’s reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic, deepened defense cooperation with the US, and mended relations with South Korea.
As Japan prepares for a new chapter in its political landscape, the upcoming leadership change in the LDP will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
