Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba signals he'll stay amid resignation calls

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba signalled he intends to stay in office despite a growing number of calls within the ruling party for him to step down after an election setback last week. "I intend to devote myself to the people and the future of the country," Ishiba said in an interview with national broadcaster NHK. He added he must take responsibility for implementing the recently announced US-Japan trade deal, and that the real work on it starts now.

He is set to speak at a meeting of Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers on Monday. Party members have been calling on someone to take responsibility for the July 20 elections that saw the LDP lose its majority in Japan's upper house elections. It marks the first time since 1955 that a leader from the storied Japanese party will govern the country without a majority in at least one of the legislative bodies.

Former foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi called for a leadership change within the LDP on his Youtube channel over the weekend.


Local media reported last week that Ishiba was set to resign, but the prime minister denied the news shortly afterward. Asked by NHK if he had second thoughts about his decision to continue in office, Ishiba said no.