Japan PM Kishida to step down

• Kishida’s popularity began to decline shortly after he assumed office in 2021, following revelations about the LDP’s connections to the controversial Unification Church
  

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Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his decision to step down next month, bowing to growing public dissatisfaction over political scandals and the rising cost of living that have overshadowed his three-year tenure. The announcement sets the stage for a leadership contest within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which will determine both the new party leader and Japan’s next prime minister.

In a press conference, Kishida emphasized the importance of public trust in politics, stating, “Politics cannot function without public trust. I made this heavy decision thinking of the public, with the strong will to push political reform forward.” The LDP is scheduled to hold a leadership election in September, where Kishida’s successor will be chosen. The new leader will face the immediate challenge of restoring public confidence in the party while addressing critical issues such as inflation, geopolitical tensions, and the potential return of Donald Trump as U.S. president.

Kishida’s popularity began to decline shortly after he assumed office in 2021, following revelations about the LDP’s connections to the controversial Unification Church. The situation worsened with the exposure of a slush fund involving unrecorded political donations at LDP fundraising events. Additionally, the public grew increasingly frustrated with the government’s inability to ensure that wages kept pace with the rising cost of living, exacerbating the pressure on Kishida’s administration.

During his time in office, Kishida attempted to shift Japan’s economic strategy away from corporate-focused policies to those aimed at increasing household incomes. He advocated for wage hikes and promoted share ownership, diverging from his predecessors’ trickle-down economic approach. His administration also navigated Japan out of the COVID-19 pandemic with significant stimulus spending and made notable security policy changes, including Japan’s largest military buildup since World War II.

As the LDP prepares for the leadership contest, potential candidates include former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Political analysts suggest that the party must select a leader untainted by recent scandals to avoid a significant defeat in the upcoming general election, which must be held by the third quarter of 2025.