Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not seek re-election as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a decision that signals a major shift within Japan’s political landscape. Kishida, who has served as prime minister since 2021, is expected to step down after the LDP elects a new leader in September, effectively ending his tenure as Japan’s leader.
Kishida, a 67-year-old veteran of the LDP, stated that the party needs a “new start” as it faces mounting challenges, including a corruption scandal, rising living costs, and a slumping yen. His decision comes as his approval ratings have plummeted, reaching just 15.5% last month—the lowest for a prime minister in more than a decade.
“In the upcoming presidential election, it’s necessary to show the people that the Liberal Democratic Party will change,” Kishida said during a press conference on Wednesday. “A transparent and open election, and free and open debate are important. The first easy-to-understand step that indicates that the LDP will change is for me to step back.”
Kishida’s departure has sent shockwaves through the LDP, with some party leaders expressing surprise and disappointment. A senior leader told NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, that he had attempted to persuade Kishida to run for re-election, but Kishida responded that doing so would have been “irresponsible.” A member of Kishida’s faction within the party described the decision as “very regrettable and unfortunate,” noting that Kishida had a strong record in foreign policy, defense policy, and domestic politics, but was ultimately forced to step down due to issues related to “politics and money.”
The LDP, which has been in power almost continuously since 1955, now faces a period of uncertainty as it prepares for the 2025 general election. Kishida’s decision comes amid what analysts describe as a “once-in-a-generation” political crisis for Japan. The ruling party has been grappling with a major corruption scandal that has severely damaged its reputation.
Last December, four LDP cabinet ministers resigned within a fortnight over a fundraising scandal linked to the party’s most powerful faction, which was formerly led by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Five senior vice-ministers and a parliamentary vice-minister from the same faction also stepped down. The scandal prompted a criminal investigation by Japanese prosecutors into whether dozens of LDP lawmakers had received proceeds from fundraising events that were not officially recorded by the party.
Kishida’s handling of the fundraising scandal drew widespread public criticism and contributed to his declining popularity. The controversy coincided with economic struggles for Japanese households, as food prices soared at the fastest rate in nearly half a century. The combination of economic woes and political scandal eroded public trust in the ruling party, despite the lack of a strong and unified opposition.
Following Kishida’s announcement, Jun Azumi, a member of parliament from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, told NHK that “the entire political situation will be in flux” from this point forward.
Kishida’s decision to step down marks a pivotal moment in Japanese politics, as the LDP prepares for a leadership transition and the country braces for the challenges ahead.
NNEOMA UDENSI
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