Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Resigns Amid Political Scandal

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan has announced his decision to step down from his role and will not participate in the upcoming leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next month. Kishida made this announcement during a press conference on Wednesday.

Kishida emphasized the importance of the upcoming LDP presidential election, stating, “It’s crucial to demonstrate to the public that the Liberal Democratic Party is ready for change. A transparent, open election with free and robust debate is essential. As a first clear step towards this transformation, I believe it is necessary for me to step aside.”

During his time in office, Kishida’s administration focused on several key initiatives, including promoting wage growth, driving investment to combat three decades of deflation, reshaping energy policy to meet rising electricity demands, addressing the declining birthrate, and bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities. He expressed pride in these accomplishments.

Kishida’s resignation follows a significant political funding scandal within the LDP, involving over 80 lawmakers and unreported political contributions from party event ticket sales. The scandal has severely affected his approval ratings, which have plummeted to around 20 percent.

Although Kishida is stepping down, he will remain a regular member of the LDP and has not endorsed any candidates for the party leadership or the next prime minister. Among the potential successors are former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Digital Minister Taro Kono, LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi.

Earlier this year, losses in local elections also added pressure for a leadership change within the LDP. Kishida, who took office in October 2021, notably hosted the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in 2023.