Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation after less than a year in the role - following two crushing election losses in mid-term elections.
His resignation came a day before opponents in his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) were expected to vote him out. His departure sets the stage for yet another ruling party leadership contest in Tokyo, the third in five years. That is apart from two national elections - neither of the winners completed their term.
The country's future leader now faces a daunting task - balancing fraught US-Japan relations, rising inflation, a cost of living crisis, and a government that has lost its majority in both houses of parliament.
Why did Ishiba resign?
In 2020, Yoshihide Suga - who was previously the party's Chief Cabinet Secretary - stepped up to the role after the surprise resignation of the late Shinzo Abe, who had stepped down due to health issues. After just a year in power, Suga resigned due to plummeting polls and was replaced by Fumio Kishida, who then went on to win the election late in 2021. But Kishida didn't last long either - his popularity plunged in the wake of a corruption scandal involving the LDP, rising living costs, and a slumping yen. In 2024, he was replaced by Ishiba, who announced plans for a snap election as soon as he took office.
However, the electorate was still furious over the corruption issue and rising prices, which led to the LDP suffering its worst election results in over a decade and losing its majority in the lower house. Earlier this year, the LDP suffered another defeat in the upper house elections.
Ishiba's decision to resign now comes in the face of increasing pressures from within his party to take responsibility, concluding that continuing in his role would lead to public humiliation. Tomohiko Taniguchi, a professor at the University of Tsukuba, noted, The writing was on the wall.
Who might be the country's next leader?
The LDP vote is expected in early October, with the winner almost certain to become prime minister. Three potential contenders include Shinjiro Koizumi, the agricultural minister; Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary; and Sanae Takaichi, who could become Japan's first female prime minister.
Sanae Takaichi has previously emerged as a prominent figure within the LDP alongside Ishiba. Koizumi's popularity stems from his media presence and lineage from a former prime minister, while Hayashi is noted for his experience in government but lacks charisma. Each candidate embodies varying political ideologies, from conservative hardliners to more moderate approaches.
What challenges will the next leader face?
The incoming leader must reunify a weakened party while ensuring they can win back public support amidst burgeoning new nationalistic parties like Sanseito, which gained traction in the recent elections. The economic landscape painted by rising inflation and a weak yen complicates the political scene further.
Any new leader will also have to readjust Japan's international relationships with neighboring countries, especially in light of recent tensions and military posturing from regional rivals. Observers are skeptical, believing that even with a new leader, the underlying issues may remain unchanged.
Why does Japan see so many PMs?
Japan has seen more than 10 prime ministers in the last two decades, largely due to its one-party democratic structure. The LDP has dominated the political arena, leading to intra-party turmoil as factions vie for power. New leadership often signifies internal strife rather than a change in public sentiment, perpetuating a cycle of short-lived prime ministers.
As the country prepares for another leadership transition, the question remains whether the next prime minister can stabilize a nation in turmoil and restore faith in its government.
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