Overview

• Shigeru Ishiba announced on Sept. 7 that he will step down as LDP president and prime minister and will not run in the interim leadership contest, citing responsibility for election losses and a turning point in U.S. tariff talks.
• The LDP is preparing an early presidential vote, with rules still undecided between a full member ballot and a simplified delegate process; Kanagawa’s chapter formally sought broad party-member participation.
• Toshimitsu Motegi declared his candidacy, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has decided to run, according to associates.
• Ishiba indicated that advice from Deputy President Yoshihide Suga to avoid deepening party divisions influenced his decision to resign.
• Business leaders, including Keidanren’s chair Yoshinobu Tsutsui, called for swift party unity and policy-focused governance by the next leader.