play_arrow

keyboard_arrow_right

Listeners:

Top listeners:

skip_previous skip_next
00:00 00:00
playlist_play chevron_left
volume_up
  • cover play_arrow

Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Resigns After Election Defeats

Background

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TOKYO (Worthy News) – Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation Sunday after less than a year in office, following two crushing parliamentary defeats that cost his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) its coalition majority in both chambers.

Ishiba, 68, said he chose to step down after concluding tariff negotiations with the United States, which he described as a “national crisis.” The two nations signed a memorandum of understanding last week, alongside a U.S. executive order, lowering tariffs in exchange for Japanese investments.

“I have consistently said that one should not cling to office,” Ishiba told reporters, adding it was “the appropriate moment to step aside and pass the baton to the next leader.”

The LDP, which has ruled almost continuously since 1955, will now hold a leadership election to select Ishiba’s successor. His resignation deepens political uncertainty in one of the world’s most stable democracies and a key U.S. security ally.

Ishiba took office last October, promising to tackle rising prices and reform his scandal-hit party. However, the LDP soon lost its absolute majority in the lower house for the first time in 15 years, followed by a July upper house defeat that left the party without a majority in either chamber.

Amid growing internal pressure, Ishiba acknowledged he failed to restore public trust after a fundraising scandal and apologized to voters. “To the people of Japan, I deeply apologize for having to resign in this manner. I am truly sorry,” he said.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.


Latest News from Worthy News

Russia Resupplies Syrian Air Base, Signaling Kremlin’s Intent to Keep Strategic Foothold
Russia Resupplies Syrian Air Base, Signaling Kremlin’s Intent to Keep Strategic Foothold
Monday, June 1, 2026

Russia has sent a sanctioned cargo ship to resupply its air base in Syria, signaling that Moscow intends to preserve one of its most important military footholds in the Middle East despite the fall of longtime ally Bashar al-Assad, according to U.S. officials and satellite images reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Knesset Dissolution Bill Advances, Moving Israel Closer to Early Elections
Knesset Dissolution Bill Advances, Moving Israel Closer to Early Elections
Monday, June 1, 2026

Israel moved another step closer to early elections after the coalition’s bill to dissolve the Knesset passed its first reading late Monday night by a vote of 106-0, with no lawmakers voting against the measure.

Trump Presses Israel, Hezbollah Toward Fragile Ceasefire After Netanyahu Threatens Beirut Strikes
Trump Presses Israel, Hezbollah Toward Fragile Ceasefire After Netanyahu Threatens Beirut Strikes
Monday, June 1, 2026

President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to halt attacks after a day of rising tensions in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened renewed strikes on Hezbollah’s Dahiyeh stronghold in Beirut if the Iranian-backed terror group continued firing on northern Israel.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Trump Transgender Military Ban
Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Trump Transgender Military Ban
Monday, June 1, 2026

A divided federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration’s policy restricting transgender military service is likely unconstitutional, delivering a legal setback to the Pentagon while leaving parts of the policy in place.

Vietnam Detains Two Montagnard Christians Accused Of ‘Undermining National Unity’
Vietnam Detains Two Montagnard Christians Accused Of ‘Undermining National Unity’
Monday, June 1, 2026

Authorities in Vietnam’s Gia Lai Province have detained two Montagnard Christians on accusations of “undermining national unity” in the latest case involving ethnic minority believers in the communist-run nation, Christians told Worthy News on Monday.

Hungarian President Refuses To Resign, Sparking Crisis After Prime Minister’s Ultimatum (Worthy News In-Depth)
Hungarian President Refuses To Resign, Sparking Crisis After Prime Minister’s Ultimatum (Worthy News In-Depth)
Monday, June 1, 2026

Hungary has plunged into an unprecedented constitutional and political crisis after President Tamás Sulyok refused to resign following the expiration of an ultimatum issued by Prime Minister Péter Magyar.

Democrats Dissatisfied By DOJ’s Pause On ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’
Democrats Dissatisfied By DOJ’s Pause On ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’
Monday, June 1, 2026

The U.S. Department of Justice is temporarily backing down from its plan to launch a $1.77 billion “anti-weaponization fund” after a federal judge issued a short-term restraining order.

WHO WE ARE

The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs encapsulate the beauty, wisdom, and eternal truths found in the Bible, creating an immersive experience that resonates with believers and seekers alike.

CONTACT