>NHK has learned that Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has decided to step down.
>There has been criticism of Ishiba within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party after its loss in a July Upper House election.
>Ishiba took office last October and pledged to tackle inflation as well as to reform the party. The LDP has been involved in a series of political fundraising scandals.
>Shortly after he took power, the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in a Lower House election. The ruling coalition also fell short of a majority in an Upper House election in July.
>Amid growing calls for Ishiba to take responsibility for the election result, the LDP had been expected to decide on Monday whether to hold a special leadership contest.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250907_11/