TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has resigned. Ishiba announced on Sunday that he was stepping down due to pressure from his own party to take responsibility for the historic defeat in parliamentary elections in July.
Ishiba, who took office in October last year, has resisted demands from most right-wing opponents within his own party. Ishiba announced his resignation at a time when a decision was due to be made tomorrow by the Liberal Democratic Party on whether to bring a virtual no-confidence motion against Ishiba.
Ishiba said he would start the process of holding a party leadership vote to choose his successor and that Monday's decision was no longer necessary.