Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday announced his resignation, less than a year after taking office, following a string of electoral setbacks that shook the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) grip on power.Ishiba, 68, who once promised to make Japan “smile again,” announced that he would step down after his party suffered a historic defeat in July’s parliamentary elections. It was the third consecutive loss under his leadership, following setbacks in Tokyo’s local polls in June and a lower house by-election last October.He had resisted pressure from mostly right-wing rivals within his party for over a month but ultimately agreed to take responsibility and quit.“Now that negotiations on US tariff measures have reached a conclusion, I believe this is the appropriate moment,” Ishiba told reporters. “I have decided to step aside and make way for the next generation,” he added.His decision came ahead of an LDP meeting scheduled for Monday to consider whether to call an early leadership election, a move seen as a virtual no-confidence vote, AP reported.
Who is Shigeru Ishiba?
Shigeru Ishiba, who entered parliament in 1986 after a career in banking, finally won the party leadership in September 2024 on his fifth attempt, promising to make Japan “smile again.” Ishiba was born on February 4, 1957, in Yazu Town, Tottori Prefecture, and graduated from the Faculty of Law at Keio University.He became Japan’s 102nd Prime Minister in October 2024. Before that, he was elected to the House of Representatives in October 2021 (49th General Election) and again in October 2017 (48th General Election).From December 2014, Ishiba also held the position of Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing the Local Economy in Japan, as well as Minister of State for the National Strategic Special Zones under the 3rd Abe Cabinet (Reshuffled), continuing until August 2016.Earlier, in September 2014, he was appointed as Minister in charge of Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing the Local Economy in Japan and Minister of State for the National Strategic Special Zones, serving until October 2015 across the 2nd Abe Cabinet (Reshuffled) and 3rd Abe Cabinet.In December 2012, he was appointed Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a position he held until September 2014. Prior to that, in September 2009, Ishiba served as Chairperson of the LDP’s Policy Research Council, continuing until September 2011.Long known as a “lone wolf” within his party, he finally won the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership on his fifth attempt in September 2024.But his brief tenure was dominated by tough tariff negotiations with US President Donald Trump and rising public anger over soaring prices and stagnant wages. Support for his government steadily declined as households struggled with squeezed earnings and weak economic growth.Though popular with the public when elevated to party leader, Ishiba was often viewed within the LDP as a contrarian who clashed with past leaders. His first move as leader was to apologise for past disputes, but party lawmakers could not overlook the string of defeats under his watch.With the ruling coalition now dependent on opposition support, Ishiba’s resignation clears the way for leadership rivals such as hawkish conservative Sanae Takaichi and political heir Shinjiro Koizumi to renew their bids for power.Ishiba, who also served as agriculture minister, is expected to return to the back benches. Known for his awkward but distinctive style, he built a reputation as a dissenting voice on issues ranging from nuclear energy and the US-Japan security alliance to demographic decline and family law reform.Considered an intellectual heavyweight on national security, he has long argued for a more assertive Japan, less reliant on the US for defence, and even supported the idea of an Asia-wide NATO-style alliance, Reuters reported.Ishiba is also known for his hobbies, including building model ships and planes displayed in his office, and leading parliament’s ramen appreciation society.
