Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba resigns

In a shocking turn of events, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation, less than a year into his tenure. The decision comes after Ishiba's coalition, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito, lost its majority in the House of Councillors election in July.

The prime minister took responsibility for the coalition's defeat, stating that he would fulfill his duties until a new LDP president is elected. The resignation was intended to prevent a "split" within the LDP, as Ishiba's departure might help unify the party.

Voter dissatisfaction, particularly with rising prices and immigration policy, appears to have benefited right-wing populist small parties, notably the openly anti-foreigner Sanseito. This shift in voter sentiment has led to a significant conflict within the LDP over the direction of party reform.

Some LDP members advocate for a move further to the right and a return to traditional policies, while others prefer a centrist path. According to Axel Klein, a professor of political science at the University of Duisburg-Essen, the LDP may bring one of the opposition parties on board or continue as a minority government, making larger concessions to the opposition.

However, the divided opposition is currently unlikely to agree on a common candidate. The election of the next prime minister could be impacted by the LDP's shift to the left and internal party conflicts. Professor Klein has stated that the LDP has shifted too far to the left, and some conservative voters have been lost as a result.

The outgoing Ishiba is considered more liberal compared to his predecessors. Despite this, he has acknowledged the loss of conservative voters in the LDP's analysis of recent election losses.

In a positive note, the trade agreement with the US was concluded shortly before Ishiba's announcement. Observers expect that the next LDP president will still be elected as prime minister in parliament. The search results do not mention the name of the candidate referred to by Professor Axel Klein who could run as the new LDP president and prime minister in parliament.

As the political landscape in Japan shifts, the future of the LDP and the country remains uncertain. The upcoming election of the new LDP president will be a crucial turning point, determining the direction in which Japan will head next.