Japan PM Fumio Kishida steps away from contesting next election

Kishida explained his decision in a news conference on Wednesday.

The prime minister said: "In the upcoming presidential election, it's necessary to show the people that the Liberal Democratic Party will change. To this end, a transparent and open election, and free and open debate are important. The first easy-to-understand step that indicates that the LDP will change is for me to step back."

Kishida lauded the achievements of his government saying that they had promoted wage increases and investment to put an end to 30 years of deflation. Kishida also said that his government transformed its energy policy to deal with a significant increase in electricity demand. He also told the media that during his tenure the government had implemented large-scale measures to deal with the declining birthrate and significantly strengthened Japan's defence capability.

''I am proud that my administration was able to produce such major achievements," Kishida was quoted as saying in NHK News.

Kishida also said that he would support a new leader. According to Japan Today, local election losses earlier in the year eroded his clout, and LDP lawmakers have voiced the need for a fresh face ahead of the next general election.

Kishida assumed the Prime Minister's job in October 2021. His announcement to step down follows a political funding scandal within the LDP. The scandal centres on alleged unreported political funds raised through tickets sold for party events. It involved more than 80 LDP lawmakers.

Japanese lawmakers have reacted to Kishida's decision. One senior LDP member told NHK that they repeatedly tried to persuade Kishida to run in the election. The person believes it is irresponsible to step down as prime minister while leaving many issues unresolved, NHK reported.

State media Kyodo reported that Kishida, who hosted the Group of Seven summit in his home constituency of Hiroshima in 2023, has seen the approval ratings for his Cabinet, launched in October 2021, plunge to the 20 per cent range in the wake of the scandal, which first broke late last year.

Kishida has said that he will continue to serve as a "rank-and-file" LDP member but declined to comment on who would be best the choice for next party chief and prime minister.

While former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his intention to run in the LDP presidential election, Digital Minister Taro Kono, has informed LDP Vice President Taro Aso, a former prime minister, that he intends to run in the race, Kyodo cited a source familiar with the matter.

LDP Secretary General Toshimitu Motegi, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi are also among those who may join the race (ANI)