Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his decision to step down next month, citing a series of political scandals and historically low approval ratings. This announcement was made during a nationally broadcasted press conference on Wednesday, August 14.
Kishida, who has been at the helm of Japan's government for nearly three years, stated that he will not seek re-election as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the upcoming September elections. "Trust in politics and gaining trust from the people, is important," Kishida emphasized. "I have come to this decision because I believe that the first step to show that the LDP has changed is for me to step down."
The Prime Minister's tenure has been marred by two major scandals involving his ruling party. The first scandal involved allegations that lawmakers from various factions failed to report income from fundraising events, leading to a criminal investigation and subsequent punishment of 39 party members. The second scandal revolved around the LDP's ties with the Unification Church, which came under intense scrutiny following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The alleged shooter claimed he was motivated by Abe’s connections to the church, to which his mother had donated large sums of money.
Kishida acknowledged that these scandals had severely damaged public trust in his party. "We need to clearly show an LDP reborn," he said. "In order to show a changing LDP, the most obvious first step is for me to bow out."
The Prime Minister's approval ratings have plummeted to record lows, with a Jiji Press poll last month showing a mere 15.5 percent approval rating—the lowest since the LDP returned to power in December 2012.
Additionally, a Mainichi Shimbun poll revealed that 70 percent of respondents believed Kishida should be replaced as LDP leader in the September election.
Kishida's decision to resign comes at a critical time for Japan, which is grappling with economic challenges such as a weakening yen and rising living costs. His successor will inherit the responsibility of steering the world's fourth-largest economy through these turbulent times.
The date for the LDP leadership race will be set on August 20 and Kishida will remain in office until a new leader is elected. As he prepares to step down, Kishida expressed his hope that the LDP would regain the public's trust and lead Japan with dignity and understanding.
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