Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announces resignation
The political scene in Japan is in an uproar after the bombshell revelation that the country's prime minister is stepping down, just a year after winning the position.
According to NBC News, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced this week that he will be stepping down less than a year after taking the position, reminding his followers that he promised not to "cling to this position."
The resignation came in the wake of securing a deal with the Trump administration on the tariff front -- in which "Japan pledged $550 billion in investment in return for lower tariffs on its crucial auto sector."
The prime minister had described Trump's tariff plans a "national crisis" but had vowed to stay in power in order to bring some kind of a deal to the table.
What's happening?
During a recent news conference, Ishiba explained to reporters his decision to step down from the powerful political post.
"I have consistently stated that I do not intend to cling to this position, and that I would make a decision at the appropriate time after accomplishing what needed to be done."
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"I believe this is precisely the appropriate timing," he added. "I have therefore decided to step aside and make way for my successor."
NBC News noted:
Since Ishiba took office last year, his LDP-led coalition lost its majority in elections for both houses of parliament amid voter anger over living costs, including a historic defeat in an election for Japan’s upper house in July.
There had reportedly been growing calls for his resignation.
Social media reacts
Users across social media weighed in on his resignation. Many seemed to be perfectly fine with his resignation, if not happy about it.
"Good. I think most people in Japan will be fine with this and ready to move on from him quickly," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Good news: The pro-immigration Japanese PM is stepping down. Bad news: It's probably because he doesn't want to be in office when the Japanese economy crashes."
Now, all eyes are on his replacement, and depending on who that ends up being, it could have a massive impact on the country's relations with the United States and, particularly, Trump's tariff deal.