Overview

• The government said Ishiba will hold a news conference at 18:00 local time on Sunday.
• Local media report he has decided to resign after the ruling coalition’s losses in recent national votes, including the upper-house defeat in July.
• NHK reported he sought to avoid party divisions, while Asahi Shimbun said he could no longer withstand growing demands to quit.
• Senior Liberal Democratic Party figures, including Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama, recently offered to resign, according to reports.
• LDP lawmakers and regional leaders are preparing to request a leadership election on Monday, local outlets report.