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Japanese Liberal Prime Minister Ishiba Resigns After a String of Electoral Defeats (VIDEOS) | The Gateway Pundit

Japanese PM Ishiba will remain in his functions until a new leader is chosen by his Liberal Democratic party.

Ishiba’s resignation anticipated a vote of no-confidence as he vows to ‘pass the baton to the next generation’.

Japanese Liberal Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has resigned today (7), after suffering a string of crushing electoral defeats leading a divided party and a minority government.

We have reported on how the conservative, Donald J. Trump-inspired political party Sanseito is surging in the country.

Change of the guard? Japan’s Liberal prime minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) and rightwing Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya.

Read: Japan’s ‘Trump Inspired’ Rightwing Surge Leads to Crushing Defeat of Liberal PM Ishiba, Who Refuses to Resign in the Midst of Trade Negotiations With the US

Reuters reported:

“Having just ironed out final details of a trade deal with the United States to lower President Donald Trump’s punishing tariffs, Ishiba, 68, told a press conference he must take responsibility for a series of bruising election losses.

Since coming to power less than a year ago, the unlikely premier has overseen his ruling coalition lose its majorities in elections for both houses of parliament amid voter anger over rising living costs.”

The Liberal Democratic Party will now hold a snap leadership race, and Ishiba will remain in his post until a successor is elected.

“’With Japan having signed the trade agreement and the president having signed the executive order, we have passed a key hurdle’, Ishiba said, his voice seeming to catch with emotion. ‘I would like to pass the baton to the next generation’.”

Politico reported:

“Ishiba, who took office in October, had resisted demands from mostly right-wing opponents within his own party for more than a month, saying such a step would cause a political vacuum when Japan faces key challenges in and outside the country.

The resignation came one day before his Liberal Democratic Party was to decide whether to hold an early leadership election, a virtual no-confidence motion against him if approved.

His decision came after his meeting Saturday with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his perceived mentor, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who apparently suggested Ishiba’s resignation ahead of Monday’s vote.”

Read more:

Japanese Liberal Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Denies Reports that He Will Resign After Losing Majority in Parliament, Closing Trade Deal With the US

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