Kishida of Japan announces he will not run in September, clearing path for new prime minister

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not run in the upcoming party leadership vote in September, paving the way for a new prime minister in Japan. Kishida, who has been facing dwindling support due to his party’s corruption scandals, decided to step aside to allow for a fresh leader to take over. His term as president of the governing Liberal Democratic Party expires in September, and his decision not to run means that a new leader who wins the party vote will succeed him as prime minister. Kishida’s government has been plagued by a corruption scandal involving unreported political funds raised through party events, leading to the indictment of ten lawmakers and their aides in January. In an effort to show that the party is changing for the better, Kishida has removed Cabinet ministers and party executives implicated in the scandal, dissolved problematic party factions, and tightened political funds control laws. Despite these efforts, support for his government has continued to dwindle, with support ratings falling below 20%. Kishida’s decision to step aside comes after local election losses earlier in the year, which weakened his position within the party. LDP lawmakers have been calling for a fresh face to lead the party ahead of the next general election, and Kishida’s resignation opens up the opportunity for a new leader to take charge.

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