Japanese Prime Minister Kishida announces he will resign next month

"Politics cannot function without public trust," he said at a news conference announcing his decision not to seek re-election as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). "I made this important decision with the public in mind, with a strong will to push forward political reform."

The LDP will hold an election next September to find a replacement for him as party president and then prime minister.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds a press conference announcing his resignation at his office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Photo: Kyodo

Mr Kishida's ratings fell after he took office in 2021 amid revelations of the LDP's controversial ties to the Unification Church. His reputation suffered further when a slush fund of unrecorded LDP political donations was discovered.

He also faced public discontent in Japan because wages failed to keep up with rising living costs.

His successor as LDP president will face the task of restoring public confidence in the party and tackling rising living costs and geopolitical tensions in the region and around the world.

Former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba has submitted his candidacy to replace Mr Kishida, saying he wants to "fulfill his mission" if he receives enough support, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Other potential candidates include Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Digital Minister Taro Kono and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

Experts say the LDP will have to choose a new leader untainted by recent scandals if it wants to stay in power after a general election scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.

Hoang Hai (according to Kyodo, NHK, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-nhat-ban-kishida-tuyen-bo-se-tu-chuc-vao-thang-toi-post307734.html