Japan – September 7, 2025 – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation today, marking a dramatic end to his brief tenure as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the nation. The decision follows a series of crushing electoral defeats and mounting internal party strife, signaling a critical juncture for Japan’s political landscape.
Ishiba’s exit, after less than a year in office, underscores deep challenges facing the LDP, a party that has dominated Japanese politics for nearly seven decades, and raises questions about the country’s stability amid economic and geopolitical pressures.A Tenure Marked by CrisisShigeru Ishiba, a seasoned politician and long-time LDP member, assumed the premiership in October 2024 after defeating hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi in a closely watched party leadership contest.
His rise was seen as a potential turning point for the LDP, which had been reeling from a political fundraising scandal under his predecessor, Fumio Kishida. Ishiba campaigned on promises to address Japan’s soaring cost of living, restore public trust in the LDP, and strengthen national security in the face of regional threats from China and North Korea. However, his leadership quickly unraveled as the LDP faced unprecedented electoral setbacks and internal dissent.The first blow came in the October 2024 general election, when the LDP-Komeito coalition lost its majority in the House of Representatives, the more powerful lower chamber of Japan’s National Diet.
This marked the first time in 15 years that the LDP failed to secure a lower house majority, forcing Ishiba to lead a fragile minority government reliant on ad-hoc support from opposition parties. The situation deteriorated further in July 2025, when the coalition suffered another defeat in the House of Councillors election, losing control of the upper house. For the first time in nearly 70 years, the LDP-Komeito coalition lacked a majority in both chambers, severely hampering its ability to pass legislation.These electoral losses were driven by widespread voter frustration over rising inflation and economic stagnation. Public approval for Ishiba’s government plummeted to around 23% following the upper house election, reflecting growing discontent with the LDP’s handling of economic challenges. A post-election survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper pegged LDP support at just 19%, the lowest since polling began in 1978.
The electoral defeats amplified existing tensions within the LDP, a party long characterized by factional rivalries. Senior party members, including influential figures like Shinjirō Koizumi and Taro Kono, openly called for Ishiba to step down, arguing that his leadership was untenable in the face of such significant losses. Hiroshi Yamada, an upper house LDP member, publicly stated, “The prime minister should take responsibility for the crushing defeat,” while Eikei Suzuki, a lower house lawmaker, urged Ishiba to “make up his mind quickly” on social media.
The pressure culminated in a petition drive led by younger LDP lawmakers, including Yasutaka Nakasone, demanding an early leadership election. Even local LDP chapters in prefectures like Ibaraki, Ehime, and Kochi—traditional strongholds of Ishiba’s support base—joined the calls for his resignation. Facing the prospect of a party vote on September 8, 2025, to decide whether to hold an early leadership contest—effectively a no-confidence motion—Ishiba preempted the move by announcing his resignation on September 7. He informed LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama of his decision to step down as party leader, paving the way for a leadership race expected in early October.
The Gift Scandal and Eroded Credibility
Adding to Ishiba’s woes was a political funds scandal that further eroded his credibility. Earlier in 2025, his office distributed gift certificates worth approximately ¥100,000 ($680) to newly elected LDP lawmakers, a move criticized as a potential violation of political funding laws. While not the sole reason for his resignation, the scandal fueled opposition attacks and deepened public distrust in Ishiba’s leadership. Analysts noted that it compounded perceptions of an embattled administration unable to address voter concerns effectively.
Economic and Geopolitical Challenges
Ishiba’s resignation comes at a delicate time for Japan, which faces significant economic and geopolitical challenges. The country is grappling with a slowing economy weighed down by inflation, which has squeezed households and eroded purchasing power. Ishiba’s government struggled to implement effective measures to address these issues, contributing to voter dissatisfaction.On the international front, Japan is navigating complex security threats from China and North Korea, as well as contentious trade negotiations with the United States under the administration of President Donald Trump. Ishiba had prioritized securing a new Japan-U.S. trade deal, which lowered tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods from 25% to 15%. He initially resisted resignation calls, citing the need to finalize these talks to avoid being perceived as a “lame duck” leader during critical negotiations. However, with the trade deal finalized just before his resignation, Ishiba lost a key rationale for remaining in office.
The Path Forward
A Leadership Contest LoomsIshiba’s resignation has triggered a leadership race within the LDP, expected to conclude in early October 2025. The new leader will automatically become prime minister, given the LDP’s status as the largest party in parliament, but they will inherit a daunting set of challenges. The LDP’s lack of a majority in both houses of the Diet means the incoming leader must secure support from opposition parties or smaller conservative groups to govern effectively.
Potential candidates include moderates like Shinjirō Koizumi, who has advocated for party renewal, and more conservative figures like Sanae Takaichi, who lost to Ishiba in the 2024 leadership race. The rise of nationalist parties, such as Sanseito, which surged to 14 seats in the upper house by capitalizing on anti-immigration and tax-cut pledges, poses a further challenge. Analysts suggest the LDP may face pressure to shift rightward to reclaim voters lost to these groups, potentially deepening internal divisions.
Implications for Japan’s Political Stability
Ishiba’s resignation introduces significant political uncertainty at a time when Japan can ill afford instability. As a key U.S. ally and a major economic power, Japan’s leadership vacuum could weaken its position in trade and security negotiations. The LDP’s decades-long dominance is under threat, with opposition parties like the Democratic Party for the People gaining traction among voters frustrated with the status quo.
Political scientist Hiromi Murakami of Temple University’s Tokyo campus described Ishiba’s resignation as “inevitable,” noting that the LDP’s electoral losses and internal fractures left him with insufficient support to continue. She highlighted the party’s dilemma: whether to rally behind a moderate leader to stabilize its base or embrace a more conservative stance to counter rising nationalist challengers.
Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation on September 7, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the nation as a whole. Triggered by historic electoral defeats, internal party revolts, and a damaging gift scandal, his departure reflects deep-seated challenges within the LDP and growing public discontent with its leadership. As Japan prepares for a new prime minister, the incoming leader will face the daunting task of restoring party unity, addressing economic woes, and navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. The outcome of the LDP’s leadership race will shape Japan’s political future and determine whether the party can reclaim its dominance or face further erosion in a rapidly changing political environment.
