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To avoid a split in the ruling party, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba decided today (Sunday) to resign from his position. According to the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the resignation comes a day before a crucial vote on the possibility of holding a snap election that could oust him.

The government stated that Ishiba will hold a press conference at 6 PM local time (09:00 GMT), and members of the Liberal Democratic Party are scheduled to vote tomorrow (Monday) on whether to hold a snap election to choose new leadership.

Opposition Support

Ishiba rejected calls from within his Liberal Democratic Party to take responsibility for the party's loss in July during the House of Councillors election, the upper house of parliament, which made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in power, especially after losing the majority in both houses of parliament, forcing his ruling coalition to rely on opposition support to pass legislation.

Challenges increased when the opposition refused to provide any support for Ishiba before the vote, prompting some members of his government to call for the selection of a new party leader.

Ishiba had told reporters on Friday that he intends to prepare a package of measures to support the economy this fall, affirming that his government will fulfill its responsibilities to the people.

Leading Candidates

Following Ishiba's resignation, the Liberal Democratic Party lacks a majority in parliament, yet its leader remains the most likely candidate to assume the position of the next Prime Minister, given the division within the opposition.

Observers believe that Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, who enjoys widespread popularity, although his views on economic policy are not well-known, is one of the prominent candidates to succeed Ishiba.