Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba To Step Down From Position Weeks After Election Defeat

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to resign to avoid a split within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as reported by public broadcaster NHK.

Ishiba has faced internal opposition from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party following their defeat in July's Upper House election.

Taking office in October, Ishiba committed to addressing rising prices and party reform. The LDP has been embroiled in multiple political fundraising controversies.

Soon after assuming leadership, Ishiba's LDP and coalition ally Komeito lost their parliamentary majority in Lower House voting. The governing alliance similarly failed to secure a majority in July's Upper House contest.

With mounting pressure on Ishiba to accept accountability for the electoral outcomes, the LDP was expected to determine on Monday whether to conduct an extraordinary leadership election.

Media reports indicated that Japan's agriculture minister and a former premier held talks with Ishiba on Saturday night to urge his departure from office.

While the Prime Minister's Office has not yet responded to resignation speculation, the Japanese administration announced that Ishiba would hold a press briefing later on Sunday, one day prior to the LDP's planned decision on conducting an expedited leadership vote.

The reports of Japan PM's resignation comes days after US President Donald Trump ordered on Thursday reducing tariffs on Japanese automotive imports from 27.5% to 15%, officially implementing a prior accord revealed in July.