Japan Faces Leadership Shake-Up as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Resigns

Sat Sep 13 2025 11:53:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following two significant election losses and internal pressures, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stepped down, paving the way for Japan's fourth leader in five years. As the LDP prepares for a new election, potential candidates emerge amidst challenges of rising inflation and strained international relations.

Shigeru Ishiba has resigned as Japan's Prime Minister after a year marked by political turmoil and defeats in the elections. His exit leads to yet another leadership contest in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the third in five years. Possible successors include Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Sanae Takaichi, each facing significant challenges ahead, including rising inflation, a weakened party, and fraught international relations.

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.

This departure sets the stage for yet another ruling party leadership contest in Tokyo, the third in five years, adding to two national elections in which neither winner completed their term. The future leader now faces the daunting task of balancing fraught US-Japan relations, rising inflation, and a cost-of-living crisis while leading a government that has lost its parliamentary majority.

Why did Ishiba resign?

The need for a change in leadership arose from the LDP's recent poor election performance, which saw the party yield its single-party majority in the lower house. As public discontent brewed over rising living costs and a corruption scandal involving party officials, Ishiba’s resignation seemed inevitable, prompted by mounting pressure to step down.

Before Ishiba, Yoshihide Suga, who assumed office following the resignation of the late Shinzo Abe, also stepped down after plummeting approval ratings. Fumio Kishida briefly succeeded but faced similar fate amid a corruption scandal and economic struggles, culminating in Ishiba's election as PM in 2024.

Who might be the country's next leader?

The LDP's internal vote, expected in early October, will likely determine the next prime minister. Emerging names in consideration include Shinjiro Koizumi, son of a former prime minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, the current chief cabinet secretary, and Sanae Takaichi, who stands to make history as Japan's first female prime minister if elected.

What challenges will the next leader face?

The new PM will need to unite a shaken party to regain voter trust, particularly as more conservative parties like Sanseito gain traction. The economic landscape is critical, with inflation rising amidst stagnant wages, challenging long-held perceptions of economic stability. Internationally, Japan's new leader must navigate complexities in relationships with neighboring countries like China and North Korea while handling tensions with traditional ally, the United States.

Why does Japan see so many PMs?

In the last two decades, Japan has witnessed over ten different prime ministers primarily due to its structure as a 'one-party democracy' dominated by the LDP. The application of heavy internal competition within the party leads to frequent leadership changes, resulting in short-tenured premierships.