Asia
Japan’s PM Ishiba to Step Down, Paving Way For New Leader
Shigeru Ishiba resigns during a news conference, on Sept. 7.
Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he’ll step down following weeks of calls for his departure in the aftermath of a second national election setback, setting in motion a leadership race that threatens to unnerve investors.
“Having seen the US trade negotiations through, I felt that now is the right time to stand down and give way to my successor,” Ishiba said at a press conference in Tokyo on Sunday. He will stay on as prime minister until his successor takes over.