Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation today, Sunday, following increasing pressure within his Liberal Democratic Party after the recent electoral setback that stripped the ruling coalition of its majority in both houses of Parliament.
The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported that Ishiba chose to step down to avoid an internal split in the party, while the Asahi Shimbun noted that he was unable to withstand the growing calls for his resignation.
This move comes just a day before a meeting of the ruling party, which is set to decide the possibility of holding early elections to select new leadership.
Ishiba has led the government since October of last year, but he faced mounting political challenges following the parliamentary loss that raised doubts about his continued position.
His resignation paves the way for an internal race for the party leadership, amid anticipation regarding the stance of the ruling coalition and the potential reshaping of the political landscape in Japan.
