Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Sunday that he will leave office after serving less than a year.
He took power in October 2024, leading a coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito.
His exit follows major election setbacks that cost the LDP its long-held control in parliament.
The party lost its majority in the lower house during snap polls last October, and again failed to secure enough seats in the upper house this July.
It was the first time since its founding in 1955 that the LDP fell short in both chambers.
Many lawmakers inside the party had already pressed for Ishiba’s departure.
Although he resisted at first, citing ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, he agreed to step down once talks concluded.
The U.S. recently moved to cut tariffs on Japanese cars from 27.5% to 15% under a pact finalized in July.
Ishiba’s decision came amid internal pressure to prevent deeper rifts within the ruling party.
Several senior LDP officials had offered to resign, raising fears of division. He will remain in place until a new party leader is chosen.