- Japan's Prime Minister Kishida announces withdrawal
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has been stuck in opinion polls, has decided to step down. He announced that he will not run for re-election as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the September election. The LDP leader is usually also the prime minister. Kishida is taking responsibility for a political scandal involving some of the party's factions. His handling of the issue has been increasingly criticized, and his government's approval ratings, which took office in October 2021, have fallen below 30 percent.
Under Kishida, Japan has reacted to China's power ambitions and the threat from North Korea by making a historic change to its security strategy and deciding on a significant military buildup. Departing from its previously exclusive focus on defense, Japan aims to acquire the ability to neutralize enemy missile bases. The defense budget is increasing significantly.
Kishida Changes Japan's Security Strategy
This shift occurred against a backdrop of a security environment that the government describes as the "most serious and complex" since World War II. China's military activities in the region pose the "greatest strategic challenge." The U.S., Japan's ally, echoes this sentiment. Despite his unpopularity, Kishida had long sought to secure re-election as the LDP's leader. However, calls for his resignation within the LDP have grown louder recently.
After Kishida's announcement, Japanese media outlets are already circulating names of potential successors. These include former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, reform-minded Digital Minister Taro Kono, LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, and Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi. Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi are also among those who could run.
The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is leading the historic change in Japan's security strategy, has been facing criticism due to his handling of a political scandal within his party. Some influential members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which he leads, have been calling for his resignation.
