Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to resign next month after a major election defeat, according to local media and a source close to him — despite his public denial of the reports — shortly after finalising a key trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to step down following a bruising upper house election defeat, a source told Reuters, as the embattled premier announced a long-sought trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, despite denying the repots from local press.
The 68-year-old leader denied media reports claiming he had already made the decision, calling them “completely unfounded.” However, the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Ishiba intends to resign in August, after finalising a long-awaited trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ishiba and Trump on Tuesday announced an agreement that reduces tariffs on Japanese auto exports and spares Tokyo from further penalties on other goods. The deal, seen as crucial for Japan’s auto sector, was a political priority for Ishiba, who reportedly delayed his resignation to avoid disrupting negotiations.
His departure — less than a year after taking office — is expected to trigger a leadership contest within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The party is under pressure following back-to-back losses in both chambers of parliament, and rising competition from new right-wing challengers.
One such rival, the “Japanese First” Sanseito party, made significant gains in Sunday’s vote, increasing its upper house seats from one to 14. The group has won support with its promises to limit immigration, cut taxes, and offer economic relief to struggling households.
Ishiba had narrowly defeated conservative contender Sanae Takaichi in last year’s party leadership race. His successor will now face the immediate task of securing backing from opposition lawmakers to form a government, as the LDP lacks a majority in either house.
According to the source, the next prime minister is unlikely to call early elections, opting instead to rebuild party support before seeking a fresh mandate from voters.
Bitcoin surged to a new all-time high as expectations grow for U.S. interest rate cuts and regulatory moves favoring crypto investment, boosting inves...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked or restricted visas on Wednesday, for certain officials from Africa, the Caribbean, and Brazil tied to...
The U.S. government on Wednesday signed an executive order to ease federal regulations on commercial rocket launches, potentially benefiting SpaceX an...
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the ruling Workers’ Party, said on Thursday that South Korea’s belief in Pyongyang’s response ...
U.S. President Donald Trump warned of “severe consequences” if Russia’s Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to peace in Ukraine, while suggesting a ...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked or restricted visas on Wednesday, for certain officials from Africa, the Caribbean, and Brazil tied to Cuba’s overseas medical worker program, citing concerns over forced labor and financial exploitation.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration has unveiled a nearly $1 billion funding plan to boost U.S. production of critical minerals and materials, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly China.
In the first half of 2025, Türkiye's startup fintech, gaming, and AI startups raised a combined $211 million, a clear sign of growing investor confidence.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck 56 kilometres east of Gorgan in northern Iran early Sunday morning, according to preliminary seismic data.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked or restricted visas on Wednesday, for certain officials from Africa, the Caribbean, and Brazil tied to Cuba’s overseas medical worker program, citing concerns over forced labor and financial exploitation.
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, a senior official in the ruling Workers’ Party, said on Thursday that South Korea’s belief in Pyongyang’s response to peace overtures is a “pipedream.”
U.S. President Donald Trump warned of “severe consequences” if Russia’s Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to peace in Ukraine, while suggesting a follow-up meeting could include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration has unveiled a nearly $1 billion funding plan to boost U.S. production of critical minerals and materials, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly China.
The Philippine government reported that a Chinese jet fighter intercepted a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aircraft with journalists onboard during a patrol over the Scarborough Shoal on 13 August, further straining tensions in the South China Sea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment