August 14th 2024.
In a surprising announcement on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared that he will not be a contender in the upcoming party leadership vote in September. This decision paves the way for a new prime minister to take the reins of the country. Kishida had been elected as the president of the governing Liberal Democratic Party in 2021, with a three-year term that is set to expire this September.
With his withdrawal from the race, the next leader who wins the party vote will automatically become the new prime minister, as the LDP holds a majority in both houses of parliament. Kishida's party has been plagued by corruption scandals, which have led to a decline in his support ratings, dipping below 20%. In light of this, he has made the decision to step down and allow for a fresh leader to take charge, in an effort to show that the party is committed to positive change. Kishida has stated that he will fully support the new leader in their endeavors.
Earlier this year, the LDP suffered losses in local elections, which weakened Kishida's influence. Members of the party have also expressed the need for a new face to lead them into the next general election. Since the corruption scandal came to light, Kishida has taken action by removing several Cabinet ministers and party executives, dissolving factions that were accused of engaging in corrupt practices, and passing a law to tighten control over political funds. Despite these efforts, support for his government has continued to dwindle.
The scandal revolves around unreported political funds that were raised through the sale of tickets for party events. More than 80 LDP lawmakers, mostly from a major faction formerly headed by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, have been implicated in this scandal. Kishida's decision to step down and support a new leader is a step towards restoring trust in the party and its leadership.
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