Japan PM Kishida prepares to quit, withdraws from LDP leadership race [Video]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday that he will not run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election next month, according to media reports.

While addressing a press conference here at the Prime Minister’s office, Kishida said his decision not to join the race, a decision that will lead to him stepping down as premier, is “the first step to show that the LDP will change” as quoted by Kyodo news agency report.

Kishida has been under scrutiny within the party for his handling of a political fundraising scandal involving some of its factions.

The approval ratings for Kishida’s Cabinet, launched in October 2021, have plunged to the 20 per cent range in the wake of the scandal.

Despite his unpopularity, Kishidahad been keen to secure re-election in the leadership race. But calls have been growing within the LDP for him to resign amid fears over how the LDP would fare in the next …