TOKYO, Sept 7 — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his intention to resign during a press conference on Sunday, citing the completion of a trade deal with the United States as a key reason for stepping down. Ishiba plans not to run in an upcoming leadership contest for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
Ishiba became prime minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership in September 2024. His tenure has been marked by political setbacks, including the party’s loss of its lower house majority in snap elections in November 2024. The LDP-led coalition also failed to secure a majority in the upper house elections in July 2025, reported Politico.
The Liberal Democratic Party has faced ongoing challenges from a scandal involving the misuse of campaign funds since 2023.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a trade agreement with Japan, under which the U.S. will impose 15 percent tariffs on most Japanese goods, and Japan will invest $550 billion in the U.S. Ishiba highlighted the deal’s completion as a factor in his decision to resign.
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