The move is seen as an attempt to avoid a split within his governing Liberal Democratic Party, which lost its upper house majority in an election in July.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation Sunday, plunging the world’s fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. ally into fresh political uncertainty amid rising living costs and growing tensions in the region.
“I have consistently stated that I do not intend to cling to this position, and that I would make a decision at the appropriate time after accomplishing what needed to be done,” he told a news conference.
Ishiba finalized details of a trade deal with the U.S. last week, under which Japan pledged $550 billion in investment in return for lower tariffs on its crucial auto sector.
Continue reading HERE
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/japan/japan-prime-minister-shigeru-ishiba-resigns-rcna229599
[Disclaimer]
