Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not be running in the upcoming party leadership vote in September. This means that Japan will have a new prime minister as Kishida’s term expires in September. His decision to drop out of the race comes as a result of dwindling support ratings, which have fallen below 20% due to his party’s corruption scandals. The new leader who wins the party vote will succeed Kishida as prime minister, as the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) controls both houses of parliament.
Kishida’s drop out of the race comes after local election losses earlier in the year, which weakened his clout within the party. LDP lawmakers have also expressed the need for a fresh face ahead of the next general election, leading to Kishida’s decision not to run for re-election. Since the corruption scandal broke, Kishida has taken steps to address the issue, including removing Cabinet ministers and party executives, dissolving party factions criticized for money-for-favor politics, and passing a law tightening political funds control. However, despite these efforts, support for his government has continued to decline.
The corruption scandal that has plagued Kishida’s administration involves unreported political funds raised through tickets sold for party events. More than 80 LDP lawmakers, mostly from a major party faction previously led by assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, have been implicated in the scandal. In January, ten individuals, including lawmakers and their aides, were indicted in connection with the case. The scandal has damaged the reputation of the LDP and contributed to the decline in support for Kishida’s government.
Kishida was set to explain his decision not to run for re-election in a press conference on Wednesday. His resignation as party leader and prime minister marks a significant shift in Japanese politics and will pave the way for a new leader to take the helm of the country. As Japan prepares for a new leadership transition, the focus will be on rebuilding trust with the public, addressing the corruption issues within the LDP, and charting a course for the future of the country. The upcoming party leadership vote in September will be closely watched as the LDP selects its new leader and Japan prepares for a new era in governance.
