Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida to Resign Amid Scandals and Public Discontent

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday that he will step down next month, bowing to public dissatisfaction over political scandals and rising living costs that have overshadowed his three-year tenure. His resignation will trigger a leadership contest within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September to choose his successor, who will also become the next prime minister.

Kishida’s approval ratings declined after he assumed office in 2021, largely due to revelations of the LDP’s connections with the controversial Unification Church. His popularity further waned when a slush fund involving unrecorded political donations at LDP fundraising events was uncovered.

In addition to these scandals, Kishida faced public frustration as wages lagged behind the rising cost of living, despite Japan emerging from years of deflation.

The incoming LDP leader will be tasked with restoring public trust in the party, addressing the rising cost of living, managing escalating geopolitical tensions with China, and preparing for the potential return of Donald Trump as U.S. president in 2025.