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Japan’s Prime Minister steps down before likely successor takes office

Shigeru Ishiba was chosen as the governing Liberal Democratic Party’s leader on Friday.

FILE – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at his office in Tokyo, on April 30, 2024 as he acknowledged that his governing party’s major defeat in the weekend’s by-elections was due to a slush fund scandal. (Kyodo News via AP, File)
FILE – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at his office in Tokyo, on April 30, 2024 as he acknowledged that his governing party’s major defeat in the weekend’s by-elections was due to a slush fund scandal. (Kyodo News via AP, File) (細島啓輔/AP)
By Associated Press reporter

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned with his Cabinet, paving the way for his likely successor Shigeru Ishiba to take office.

Chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that Mr Kishida and his ministers stepped down at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Ishiba was chosen as the governing Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leader on Friday to replace Mr Kishida, who announced in August his resignation at the end of his three-year term.

Shigeru Ishiba, the head of Japan’s governing party, the Liberal Democratic Party speaks during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Tokyo (Kyodo News via AP)
Shigeru Ishiba, the head of Japan’s governing party, the Liberal Democratic Party speaks during a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Tokyo (Kyodo News via AP) (鈴木大介/AP)

Mr Ishiba is assured to be prime minister later on Tuesday in a vote by parliament because it is dominated by his party’s ruling coalition.

Mr Ishiba will then announce his new Cabinet later in the day.

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Mr Kishida took office in 2021 but is leaving so his party can have a fresh leader after his government was dogged by scandals.

On Monday, Mr Ishiba said he planned to call a parliamentary election to be held on October 27 after he is formally chosen as prime minister.

“I believe it is important to have the new administration get the public’s judgment as soon as possible,” Mr Ishiba said.

Mr Ishiba, first elected to parliament in 1986, has served as defence minister, agriculture minister and in other key Cabinet posts, and was LDP secretary general under former prime minister Shinzo Abe.