Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba Resigns Amid LDP Division Threat

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation to prevent a split within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party following the coalition's loss of its upper house majority in the July elections. This decision came amid growing pressure from party members, particularly from Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who, along with former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, urged Ishiba to step down to avoid a divisive leadership contest. Ishiba faces a critical party vote on whether to hold an early leadership election, which would effectively serve as a vote of no confidence. The resignation is seen as a strategic move to maintain party unity and manage internal conflicts as the LDP navigates political challenges. The leadership race has significant implications for the party's future direction and policy stability, with many lawmakers divided over the timing of the election. Ishiba's term was scheduled to end in two years, but the election setbacks and internal dissent accelerated his decision to resign.