Kishida’s resignation opens the door to a chaotic era
The prime minister’s decision not to seek another term may set up Japan’s most exciting race for a leader in years
IN THE end, Fumio Kishida could not escape the pull of gravity.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect its new leader late next month, and in recent weeks, the momentum in Tokyo had been swinging one way: That the unpopular but famously stubborn Kishida would run, and win, as potential successors demurred and bided their time for a better opportunity.
That momentum suddenly ran out Wednesday (Aug 14) when, in the midst of the normally lazy Obon holiday season, the prime minister announced he wouldn’t seek another term as LDP head, effectively tendering his resignation and throwing the race for Japan’s next leader into chaos.
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