"Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has said he is to step down following calls from his party to take responsibility for a disastrous defeat in July's upper house election. The public broadcaster NHK said Ishiba made the decision to avoid a divide within the party, while the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said he was unable to withstand the mounting calls for his resignation. Ishiba, who took office in October, had resisted demands from mostly rightwing opponents within his party for more than a month."
"Ishiba's move comes a day before his Liberal Democratic party is due to decide whether to hold an early leadership election a virtual no-confidence motion against him if approved. Ishiba said he would start a process to hold a party leadership vote to choose his replacement and that there was no need for Monday's decision. In July, Ishiba's ruling coalition failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election, further shaking the stability of his government."
Shigeru Ishiba will step down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party after party calls to take responsibility for a poor showing in July's upper house election. The ruling coalition failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house, undermining government stability. The decision aimed to avoid a party divide, while mounting calls for resignation overcame Ishiba's resistance after more than a month of pressure from mostly rightwing opponents. Ishiba took office in October and will initiate a party leadership vote to choose his replacement ahead of a possible early leadership election and a virtual no-confidence motion.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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