Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced that he will not seek re-election as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in next month’s party polls. This decision means that Japan will also have a new prime minister. Kishida stated that it was time for a new face to lead the LDP and that he would fully support their leadership.
Kishida’s decision comes amid falling approval ratings following a major corruption scandal within the LDP involving unreported political funds raised through party events. Over 80 LDP lawmakers have been implicated in the scandal, leading to indictments and tarnishing the party’s image.
The race for party leader will determine Japan’s next prime minister, as the LDP holds the most seats in parliament. Kishida, known for his consensus-building approach, took over as prime minister from Yoshihide Suga, who faced criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his tenure, Kishida pledged to double Japan’s defense spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, signaling a shift from strict pacifism to address China’s assertive stance in the Asia Pacific. Kishida’s visit to the US in April resulted in a renewed era of cooperation between the two countries, while a defense pact with the Philippines in July allowed for troop deployment on each other’s territory.
With Kishida stepping aside, the upcoming LDP leadership election will be closely watched as Japan looks towards a new era under a different leader.
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