Tokyo: Japan PM Fumio Kishida resigns There has been a major political stir in Japan. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned along with his cabinet on Tuesday. Kishida took office in 2021, but he is stepping down so that his party can find a new leader, as his government is surrounded by scandals. 

Paving the way for Shigeru Ishiba to take over

After Kishida, the way is now clear for his potential successor Shigeru Ishiba to take over.

Ishiba plans to call a parliamentary election on October 27, after which he will be formally elected as prime minister.

"I believe it is important for the new administration to receive the people's verdict as soon as possible," Ishiba said on Monday when he announced his plan to hold a snap election. 

Opposition parties attacked Ishiba

Opposition parties criticised Ishiba for giving only a short time for scrutiny and discussion of his policies in parliament before the vote. Ishiba was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party on Friday to replace Kishida, who announced in August he would resign at the end of his three-year term.

Ishiba can be elected prime minister today itself

Ishiba could be elected prime minister after a vote in parliament today, as his party's ruling coalition dominates parliament. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Kishida and his ministers resigned at a cabinet meeting in the morning. 

Hayashi, Kishida's closest aide, said the world has high expectations for Japan's diplomatic role, noting deepening global divisions over Russia's war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.