Japan’s PM to resign

Japan is preparing for a change of prime minister after Fumio Kishida announced he will be stepping down from the role next month and not contesting the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Kishida, pictured, was chosen as president of the governing LDP in 2021 and his three-year term expires in September.

He has suffered public disaffection over political scandals and rising living costs, which in turn has seen his support ratings dwindle to below 20 per cent.

“We need to clearly show an LDP reborn,” he said at a news conference on August 14. “In order to show a changing LDP, the most obvious first step is for me to bow out.

“I will not run for the upcoming party leadership election.

“Politics cannot function without public trust. I made this heavy decision thinking of the public, with the strong will to push political reform forward.”

The LDP will hold a vote next month to replace Kishida as president of the party, and, by extension, as prime minister because it controls both houses of parliament.

A date for the party election is expected to be announced next week with former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba already putting his hand up as a prospective replacement for Kishida, reports Reuters.