What happened? Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns
Change language:
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on Sunday during a press conference in Tokyo. He cited, among other reasons, a trade agreement with the United States that imposed a 15% tariff on Japanese imports.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns
The announcement came after the ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house in July. Ishiba expressed deep regret, admitting he had failed to meet expectations as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and took responsibility for the defeat, according to Telex.
According to Kyodo News, Ishiba stepped down in order to “avoid a decisive split” within the party. He added that he would not run in the LDP’s upcoming leadership election, despite having secured the party presidency last year on his fifth attempt. While he called the trade deal a “milestone”, Ishiba urged his successor to strengthen Japan’s ties with the United States and other allies.
He will remain in office until successor is chosen
Though stepping down as LDP president, Ishiba will remain Prime Minister until the party selects a new leader. In Japan’s political system, the party presidency is effectively equivalent to the position of head of government. The LDP leadership vote is expected to take place next month, unless rescheduled earlier.
The Prime Minister’s departure comes amid mounting internal criticism within his party following the 20 July upper house defeat. Previously, Ishiba had repeatedly rejected calls for his resignation, signalling his intention to remain in office.
It was decided, by we-all-know-whom, that Japan was too homogeneous and had to be “culturally” “enriched.” Take a wild guess by whom. Hardly a few dozen of the “doctors” and “engineers” came and the place already started going down the sh**ter.
Maybe this guy had enough shame to resign rather than continue presiding over the same destruction of Japan that Europe has been experiencing…