NHK reported on September 7 that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to step down.
According to the report, Prime Minister Ishiba has made up his mind to resign in order to prevent the party from splitting before the Liberal Democratic Party asks its 295 lawmakers and 47 regional branch representatives-a total of 342 members-whether to hold an early leadership election on September 8.
Since the ruling party's defeat in the House of Councillors (upper house) election in July, Prime Minister Ishiba had expressed his determination to maintain power despite mounting pressure within the party to step down.
However, it appears that he decided to resign after it became known that nearly 160 members-close to half of the 342-expressed support for an early leadership election.
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