Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly preparing to resign, according to multiple Japanese media outlets citing developments Sunday.
The decision follows discussions held Saturday evening with former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi, both figures considered close to Ishiba. Sources suggest these conversations centered on preventing a split within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Calls for Ishiba to accept responsibility for the government’s disappointing performance in the July Upper House elections had recently intensified. Speculation has been building that the LDP would convene on Monday to decide whether to hold a special election for party leadership.
Ishiba assumed the premiership in October 2024. Shortly after taking office, the LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, lost their majority in the House of Representatives. The government coalition subsequently failed to secure a majority in the Upper House elections.