Japan: Kishida Leaves Race to Lead Ruling Party

(ANSA) – TOKYO, 14 AUG – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has confirmed that he will not seek re-election as leader of his party next month, which would mean the end of his term. “The most obvious first step to show that the LDP will change is for me to step aside. I will not run in the next presidential election” of the party, Kishida said today at a press conference. “I have taken this heavy decision with the firm belief that politics is only possible with the trust of the people and that we will move forward with political reforms,” ​​the Japanese premier added. The Liberal Democratic Party, in power in Japan almost continuously since 1945, must organize an internal election in September to designate its leader and therefore the person who will serve as prime minister. Kishida, 67, has been in office since October 2021 and has seen his popularity decline, greatly weakened by inflation that has hit Japanese families and by political and financial scandals that have affected his party. According to a survey by Japanese broadcaster NHK, his government’s approval rating has remained stable at around 25% this year. (ANSA).