Fumio Kishida Resigns as Japanese Prime Minister

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation effective next month amid declining approval ratings and political scandals, including ties to the Unification Church. His approval has plummeted to as low as 15.5%, with public dissatisfaction stemming from economic issues such as rising living costs and a depreciating yen. Kishida emphasized the need for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to demonstrate change through transparent elections, with the party set to elect his successor in September. Despite being praised for his foreign policy, Kishida's domestic policies have failed to address Japan's significant challenges, including a faltering economy and decreasing birth rates. The new leader will face the daunting task of stabilizing the economy while gearing up for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Potential successors include former officials like Shigeru Ishiba and Taro Kono, with expectations that they may not drastically shift Japan's policies.