Japan PM Fumio Kishida Set to Quit, Will Not Contest for Party Chief’s Post

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday declared that he will not seek re-election as party chief. As per reports, he is planning to resign from his post after this announcement.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is due to hold a leadership contest in September. The winner is expected to become next prime minister.

“In this (party) presidential election, it is necessary to show the people that the LDP is changing and the party is a new LDP,” Kishida told reporters in Tokyo.

“For this, transparent and open elections and free and vigorous debate are important. The most obvious first step to show that the LDP will change is for me to step aside,” he said.

Kishida, 67, in office since October 2021, has seen his and his party’s poll ratings slide sharply in response to rising prices hitting Japanese incomes and several scandals.