Japanese PM Set to Resign After Election Defeat

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to announce his resignation in the coming weeks following a major setback in the country’s recent Upper House elections, according to local media reports.

The defeat saw the ruling coalition lose its parliamentary majority, placing Ishiba under intense political pressure.

Sources close to the Prime Minister say he plans to step down by the end of next month, having already informed his inner circle of his intention to resign.

The anticipated move comes just hours after Japan and the United States finalised a new trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs on Japanese automobile imports, while sparing Tokyo from further punitive duties on other goods.

Sunday’s Upper House election delivered a serious blow to Ishiba’s leadership. 

His coalition, led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner Komeito, secured only 122 out of 248 seats, falling short of a majority. In contrast, opposition parties increased their representation to 126 seats, reversing the political balance in the chamber.

This latest defeat follows the coalition’s earlier loss of its majority in the Lower House in autumn of last year.

As a result, the government now faces the prospect of negotiating with opposition forces to pass legislation and implement policy, a scenario likely to challenge its effectiveness and agenda.

Ishiba is expected to hold discussions with senior officials of the ruling LDP later today to review the election results and chart the coalition’s next steps. While no official announcement has been made, analysts suggest that his resignation is all but certain, signalling a potential shift in Japan’s political landscape.