Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is resigning to prevent further fragmentation within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). His resignation follows within a year of his assumption of the premiership. The move comes in response to the LDP’s poor performance in the parliamentary elections held in July. Demands for his resignation have intensified since the election results were announced. Ishiba has not yet revealed the precise date of his departure.
Ishiba became Prime Minister last October. In the preceding month, he has been dealing with resistance from right-wing elements within his own party. During the July parliamentary elections, the ruling coalition, under Ishiba’s leadership, failed to secure a majority in the upper house, which has 248 seats.