Shigeru Ishiba, who relishes the intricacies of policy and the hobby of crafting military models, saw his aspirations to be Japan’s prime minister vanish on Sunday.
Ishiba announced his decision to step down after being urged to take responsibility for the Liberal Democratic Party’s poor showing in the July upper house elections.
The 68-year-old, who proudly calls himself a defense “geek,” led the party for less than a year, securing the position on his fifth attempt.
He stated he would “step aside to allow the next generation to lead,” following LDP members’ demands for his resignation and a new leadership election.
Ishiba’s fall was swift and harsh, despite being the son of a regional governor and part of Japan’s small Christian minority.
His departure poses a new challenge for the party, which has mostly ruled Japan since 1955.
Initially considered reliable, he became the party leader in September 2024, the 10th to assume the role since 2000.
Ishiba promised to “build a new Japan,” rejuvenate rural areas, and tackle the “quiet emergency” of the declining population.
He called for lower house elections in October 2024, which disastrously resulted in the LDP’s worst outcome in 15 years.
That result stripped the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito of their majority, necessitating negotiations with opposition parties to pass laws.
The July election further eroded his majority in the upper house, intensifying resignation rumors.
His administration witnessed plunging approval ratings, with public discontent over rising prices, notably rice costs doubling over the year.
– Awkward Moments –
Ishiba, father to two daughters, appointed just two women to his cabinet, fewer than the five appointed by his predecessor Fumio Kishida.
His awkward moments, from his untidy tuxedo to dining etiquette, became social media fodder.
He was mocked for appearing to nap during parliament sessions and not standing to greet global leaders during a South American summit.
A video surfaced of Ishiba eating an onigiri rice ball whole, chewing with his mouth open.
“He eats like a toddler,” commented a user on social media platform X.
– Reduced Auto Tariffs –
A major hurdle was dealing with US President Donald Trump, who enforced tough tariffs on Japanese vehicles, steel, and aluminum.
A positive development was Trump’s order to reduce auto tariffs to 15% from 27.5%.
This outcome was a win for Japan, arriving weeks after the initial trade agreement was revealed in late July, amid some differences.
Ishiba earned an early invitation to the White House in February, frequently sending his tariffs envoy to Washington.
During Trump’s first term, Shinzo Abe, then Japan’s premier, managed to avoid tariffs, earning the nickname “Trump whisperer.”
Abe, assassinated in 2022, presented Trump with a gold golf club and was a regular guest of the US president.
Trump claimed Abe even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. “There will never be another like him,” he remarked after Abe’s death.
