Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is beginning its search for a successor after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed to take the fall for the party’s recent election woes. His resignation, announced Sunday, officially kicks off the race for the country’s top job.
Ishiba’s premiership was irrevocably damaged by the loss of the LDP coalition’s majorities in both chambers of parliament. These defeats were a clear rejection of the party by voters and led to an inescapable conclusion within the LDP: the leader had to go.
To avoid a messy internal fight, Ishiba chose to resign, framing it as an act of responsibility. He said he wanted to allow a new generation to lead the party forward and to prevent a damaging public split.
The LDP’s election in October will be a critical juncture. The party must choose a new face to present to the public, with potential candidates ranging from the hard-line conservative Sanae Takaichi to the more media-savvy Shinji Koizumi.