Japan PM Fumio Kishida to Resign Amid Scandals and Economic Pressures

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced he would step down due to public dissatisfaction over political scandals and rising living costs. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party will hold a leadership contest in September to replace him. Kishida’s leadership faced challenges, including ties to the Unification Church, unrecorded political donations, and economic issues.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation next month amidst public discontent over political scandals and rising living costs, bringing his three-year tenure to an end. Kishida revealed his decision at a press conference, stating, 'Politics cannot function without public trust.'

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold a leadership contest in September to select a new party president and, by extension, the new prime minister. Kishida's tenure, which began in 2021, was marred by revelations of LDP's ties to the controversial Unification Church and illegal political donations.

Kishida also faced criticism for failing to address inflation effectively. His departure adds to the party's challenges, which include restoring public trust and tackling economic issues. U.S. President Joe Biden commended Kishida's tenure as 'historic,' highlighting his contributions to national security and international relations.

(With inputs from agencies.)