On 7 September, the Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba resigned under pressure following a series of election losses which weakened the ruling party in Japan. Ishiba, who assumed power only half a year earlier, claimed that the U.S. -Japan trade deal was one of the major accomplishments but acknowledged the losses required accountability.
His resignation has sparked an internal leadership contest within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and candidates like Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi will influence the future political course of the country. The resignation further complicates a situation when Japan is confronted with an increasing economic and security crisis.
