Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns from office

Less than one year after assuming office, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced his resignation amid mounting pressure from within his own party after large election defeats.

During his tenure, Ishiba’s ruling coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the upper house in July. Prior to that, his coalition lost its majority in the lower house.

Ishiba, who rose to power in October, said in a televised news conference on Sunday that he would step down as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). 

The announcement was made one day before party members were ready to vote on whether to hold an early leadership election.