What's going on? The Prime Minister of Japan announces his resignation

Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has said he will resign next month, following public discontent over political scandals and the rising cost of living. "Politics cannot work without public trust. I made this difficult decision thinking about the public, with a strong will to push for political reforms in the future," Kishida said at a press conference where he announced his decision not to run for re-election as party leader. Liberal Democratic (LDP).

The LDP will hold elections for a new leader in September. Public approval of Kishidan began to plummet shortly after he took office in 2021 after the LDP's ties to the controversial Unification Church were revealed. His popularity took another hit when it was discovered that unregistered political donations had been made at LDP fundraising events.

He also faced popular resentment after failing to raise wages at a time when the cost of living rose. " The Prime Minister from the LDP cannot compete for party president, if he is not sure of victory. It's like the grand champion of sumo. You can't win casually, you have to win elegantly ," said Koichi Nakano, professor of political science at Sophia University.

Whoever succeeds Kishidan as LDP leader must restore public confidence in the party and combat the rising cost of living and escalating geopolitical tensions with China. Kishida comes from a family of politicians – his father and grandfather were members of Japan's House of Representatives.

He first became a member of the House in 1993. He then became Japan's longest-serving foreign minister, when he held the post from 2012 to 2017. He became prime minister in October 2021, making succeeding Yoshihide Sugan, who had resigned after only one year in office. Kishida led the LDP to victory in the 2021 general election. Kishida led Japan out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Happening now...

20:10 SPORT

Muç's madness in Turkey! With Besiktas it's no coincidence, he scores as many goals as Asensio, Sane and Osimhen

19:57 HAPPENING NOW

Plumber fell from height while working, company administrator arrested

19:45 SHOWBIZ

U përfol për një aksident të rëndë/ Reagon Einxhel Shkira: Ja si qëndron e vërteta

19:31 BOTA

Ceasefire talks begin in Ukraine/What does the US plan foresee?

19:26 POLITICS

Clashes within the DP/ Tabaku: We need to accept the problems! Debates are not held in the halls

19:12 HAPPENING NOW

Serious incident in Kamëz/ Electrician falls from building and loses his life, police hide the incident

19:07 SPORT

VIDEO/ Muçi shows class to Besiktas, goal for "panorama" in Turkey

18:58 BOTA

"He's a hero!"/ Disarmed the aggressor of the massacre in Australia, family members: He was wounded by two bullets! His condition ...

18:40 SPORT

Vllaznia "forgets" the taste of victory, draws against Bylis

18:22 POLITICS

"We did not clash with the Guard"/ Rama reacts after the BKH statement: They themselves admitted that they wanted to enter the…

18:12 POLITICS

"He shouted, intimidated and mocked the investigators"/ "Clash" Rama-BKH, Shehaj reacts: He was scared because SPAK went to his office! The end of the prime minister...

17:47 SPORT

Arbër Hoxha again protagonist in Croatia, provides assist in Dinamo Zagreb's victory

17:31 BOTA

Escalation of the Thailand-Cambodia conflict/ Curfew declared and first civilian casualties

17:19 crossword

Champions League schedule December 14

Want to read more news