Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday that he will decide whether to resign following his party’s historic election defeat only after reviewing the recently concluded tariff agreement with the United States.
The announcement comes as Ishiba faces mounting pressure from within his own Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the broader political spectrum. Over the weekend, the ruling LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, lost their majority in the 248-member upper house of parliament. The defeat significantly weakens the government’s legislative power and adds to Japan’s growing political instability.
The coalition had already lost its majority in the more powerful lower house in October, making policy passage increasingly difficult. Sunday's upper house loss leaves Ishiba without a majority in either chamber.
On Monday, Ishiba had expressed his intention to remain in office to avoid a political vacuum, citing the need to address urgent matters such as US-Japan trade talks. However, this position triggered criticism from both opposition leaders and members of his own party, who have called for an immediate leadership transition in light of the election results.
Japanese media reports suggest that Ishiba is likely to step down by August, once the tariff deal is fully reviewed and finalized.
On Wednesday, Ishiba welcomed the trade agreement with the United States, which reduces tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods from 25 percent to 15 percent. He described the deal as the result of tough negotiations and said it reflects Japan’s national interest, with the potential to create jobs and boost bilateral investment.
Despite growing speculation about his resignation, Ishiba declined to confirm any timeline. “I must examine the details of the trade agreement thoroughly,” he told reporters.
The weekend’s election results reflect growing voter dissatisfaction, particularly among younger voters struggling with inflation and stagnant wages. Many turned away from traditional parties in favor of emerging conservative and rightwing populist groups such as the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito.
While no opposition group has offered to form a coalition government, some have indicated a willingness to collaborate on select policy issues.