Following a disappointing outcome in recent Upper House elections, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly preparing to resign. Multiple Japanese media outlets are now reporting that an official announcement of his departure is imminent.
Initially, after the election results were released, Prime Minister Ishiba indicated his intention to remain in his position despite the coalition’s setback. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito coalition secured just 47 of the 125 Upper House seats contested – falling short of the necessary 50 to maintain a comfortable majority.
According to sources, Ishiba is scheduled to meet with three former Prime Ministers from within the LDP – Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida – as early as Wednesday. Discussions are expected to include the topic of Ishiba’s planned withdrawal. In recent weeks, calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation have grown increasingly vocal among younger and mid-level LDP members. The meeting will likely provide a crucial opportunity to navigate the political landscape and strategize for the party’s future direction.