Lead: On Sept. 7, 2025 in Tokyo, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 68, announced he will step down as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party after the LDP suffered historic losses in July’s parliamentary election; he will remain in office until a successor is chosen.
Key Takeaways
- Shigeru Ishiba resigned Sept. 7, 2025, taking responsibility for the LDP’s summer election setbacks.
- The LDP failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in July, following an earlier loss in the lower house.
- Ishiba said he delayed resignation while negotiating with the U.S. on tariffs; President Trump ordered a cut from 25% to 15% the preceding Friday.
- Ishiba will stay on until the party selects a new leader, with a leadership vote expected in October.
- Potential successors include Shinjiro Koizumi, Sanae Takaichi and Yoshimasa Hayashi.
- The minority government will need cross-party cooperation to pass legislation or risk repeated no-confidence challenges.
Verified Facts
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 68, said at a Tokyo news conference that he will resign as both head of government and president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He explained that he had postponed stepping down until key U.S. tariff discussions reached a milestone, and he cited a recent order by U.S. President Donald Trump to lower tariffs on Japanese cars and other products from 25% to 15% as a turning point.
In July’s parliamentary election the ruling coalition failed to win a majority in the 248-seat upper house, a loss that followed the coalition’s earlier defeat in the lower house in October, shortly after Ishiba took office. The twin setbacks have left the LDP without stable majorities in both chambers.
Ishiba said he would not run in the next party leadership contest and described his decision as painful but necessary to avoid a disruptive internal showdown that could fracture the party. He has asked his successor to pursue policies he prioritized, including wage growth, agricultural reform and strengthening national security.
Context & Impact
Ishiba’s resignation underscores instability within Japan’s minority government and highlights deep divisions inside the LDP between his centrist supporters and more conservative factions. Senior party figures, including conservative heavyweight Taro Aso, had pressed for an early leadership vote, which would have amounted to a de facto no-confidence move.
The next LDP leader will inherit a government that must either build working relationships with fragmented opposition parties or face continuing legislative deadlock and the threat of no-confidence motions. Analysts say success will depend on coalition-building and pragmatic policy moves rather than ideological shifts.
Public reaction is mixed: some voters expressed relief at the prospect of new leadership, while others worry about short-term uncertainty. Office worker Takahiro Uchi welcomed the change but said he feared instability; Masataka Nishioka said he hopes for practical reforms that ease everyday life.
Official Statements
“Having reached a milestone in the U.S. tariff negotiations, I decided now is the time to make way for a successor,”
Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister
Unconfirmed
- Exact date for the leadership vote remains unconfirmed though reports suggest October.
- The degree to which the U.S. tariff order alone determined Ishiba’s timing is reported by his remarks but other internal party pressures may also have been decisive.
Bottom Line
Ishiba’s resignation reflects a recalibration inside the LDP after consecutive electoral setbacks. The coming weeks will test whether the party can unite behind a successor capable of negotiating across the Diet and restoring voter confidence, while managing economic and security challenges at home and abroad.