Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s three-year tenure was overshadowed by political controversies, and he has been struggling with low approval ratings and a damaging fundraising scandal. Kishida mentioned a lack of public confidence as his reason for resigning as prime minister.
Japan’s 67-year-old Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, announced on Wednesday that he will step down as ruling party leader after the party elects a new leader in September.
Kishida also announced that he will not seek re-election as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He expressed the need for a “new start” for the party.
He said “In the upcoming presidential election, it’s necessary to show the people that the Liberal Democratic Party will change. A transparent and open election, and free and open debate are important. The first easy-to-understand step that indicates that the LDP will change is for me to step back.”
Kishida’s decision to quit will trigger a contest to replace him. His choice to resign from his position and not seek re-election created an opportunity for a new prime minister to assume leadership of the fourth-largest economy in the world.
Why he is stepping down?
Over the past several months, Prime Minister Kishida’s leadership has faced significant challenges. His inability to effectively address the mounting consumer prices and his party’s involvement in scandals, including those related to his family, has led to a sharp decline in the LDP’s poll ratings. The LDP, which has maintained power in Japan for many years, has experienced a notable decrease in public support.
The biggest scandal revolved around accusations of receiving millions of dollars in illegal kickbacks from fundraising events associated with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In response, Kishida vowed to address the issue with great determination, likening his approach to tackling it “like a ball of fire.
“Prime Minister Kishida himself has publicly acknowledged the impact of these controversies on his leadership, admitting that “The series of political finance scandals has eroded trust and weighed heavily on my decision.”
The economic conditions have significantly worsened his situation. Japan is facing mounting concerns due to increasing inflation and a weakening yen, causing widespread dissatisfaction among the public. The financial markets have reacted with volatility, with the yen strengthening by 0.3 per cent against the dollar following Kishida’s announcement, while the Nikkei index dipped slightly by 0.2 per cent.
Internally, there has been skepticism within the party about Kishida’s ability to lead the LDP to victory in the upcoming general election scheduled for 2025. His approval ratings hit a low point of 15.5% last month, marking the lowest rating for a Prime Minister in over a decade. These challenges have placed Prime Minister Kishida in a precarious position within his party and the country as a whole.
Reaction’s on Japan Prime minister decision
The leader of Japan’s largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, emphasized that certain issues have not yet been resolved. He assured that his party would continue to take action to address these issues. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida for his hard work and acknowledged the immense pressure Kishida must have faced.
Furthermore, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel lauded Prime Minister Kishida as a true friend of the United States and emphasized Japan’s significant role as a global partner for America. Emanuel credited Kishida’s unwavering leadership for ushering in a new era in U.S.-Japan relations and for his efforts in strengthening partnerships and security alliances across the Indo-Pacific region.
Similarly, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, highlighting Kishida’s consistent efforts in nurturing and strengthening the crucial relationship between Japan and Australia.
In addition, UAE’s Ambassador to Japan Shihab Alfaheem recognized and appreciated Prime Minister Kishida’s efforts in fostering the development of strong relations between their countries, emphasizing the significant progress that has been achieved. Alfaheem expressed a commitment to further strengthening the relationship between the UAE and Japan.
