Kishida to Step Down Next Month, Declines Re-Election for LDP Leadership Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will step down from his position next month. Kishida revealed that he will not contest the upcoming election for president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and will resign as Prime Minister once a new LDP president is elected.
Controversies and Falling Approval Ratings
Kishida’s decision comes as his administration faces intense scrutiny due to ongoing controversies. The LDP has been plagued by negative publicity related to its connections with the Unification Church and controversies surrounding political funding, which have been in the spotlight since December of last year. Additionally, Kishida’s cabinet approval rating has been persistently low, hovering around 20 percent for the past eight months.
Internal Party Dissent and Pressure to Resign
The internal dissent within the LDP has increased, with many party leaders expressing concerns about the party’s ability to secure victory in the next general election under Kishida’s leadership. These concerns have been exacerbated by the LDP’s poor performance in recent by-elections held in cities such as Nagasaki, Shimane, and Tokyo. Despite calls for his resignation following these defeats, Kishida had previously resisted stepping down.
Kishida’s Political Journey and Legacy
Fumio Kishida has been serving as Japan’s Prime Minister since October 2021, succeeding Yoshihide Suga. His resignation will mark the end of his tenure as the LDP navigates a challenging political landscape in preparation for the upcoming general election scheduled for October 2025.