Shigeru Ishiba Resigns as Japan PM

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation after less than a year in office, bowing to pressure from within the Japan — List of Liberal Democratic parties following successive election defeats. His government lost its majority in both houses of parliament, leading to calls for him to take responsibility. Ishiba cited the conclusion of tariff negotiations with the United States as an appropriate moment to step aside. The trade deal involved Japan committing $550 billion in investments in exchange for reduced US tariffs, which Ishiba had previously called a 'national crisis'. The resignation triggers a leadership contest within the Japan — List of Liberal Democratic parties, with potential candidates including Shinjirō Koizumi and Sanae Takaichi. The political instability, coupled with economic headwinds and lingering trade tensions, has created uncertainty for Japan's markets, with the yen and government bonds already under pressure.