Kishida To Step Down: Japan to gear up for new leadership as PM bows out amid scandals, says report

Kishida, stung by his party’s corruption scandals, has suffered dwindling support ratings that have dipped below 20%.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has informed executives of his governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that he will not seek re-election in the party’s leadership vote scheduled for September, according to reports from NHK public television and other media outlets. This decision paves the way for Japan to have a new prime minister, as the LDP, which controls both houses of parliament, will select its next leader to succeed Kishida.

Kishida, who was elected LDP president in 2021, has faced mounting challenges during his tenure, including a series of corruption scandals within his party. These issues have significantly eroded his public support, with approval ratings recently plummeting below 20%.

With his term set to expire in September, Kishida’s decision to bow out of the leadership race signals the end of his time as prime minister. The upcoming LDP vote will determine who will steer Japan’s government moving forward.