Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Announces Resignation Decision

(Patria) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his decision to resign from his post, reported Japanese public broadcaster NHK, according to TASS. According to NHK, Ishiba made this decision to avoid a split within his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The results of a poll among current LDP lawmakers and representatives of regional party organizations on the issue of holding early elections for party leader are expected to be announced today.

The LDP, led by Ishiba, failed in the summer parliamentary elections in July and did not secure a majority in both houses of parliament. This led to numerous calls within Ishiba's party for him to resign as the country's prime minister.
“Amid growing calls for Ishiba to take responsibility for the election results, the LDP was expected to decide on Monday whether to hold a special leadership contest,” NHK reported.

“Ishiba met with former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Minister of Agriculture Koizumi Shinjiro at his office on Saturday,” according to the Japanese broadcaster.

“Sources say Suga and Koizumi told Ishiba that party unity was paramount and suggested he step down before Diet members submit documents for a special leadership election,” NHK added.