Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has resigned after less than a year in office, following significant election defeats for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This decision comes as Japan faces heightened political and economic uncertainty.

• The LDP lost its majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament under Ishiba's leadership, a first in 15 years for the lower house.
• Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister, cited the conclusion of negotiations on US tariff measures as the appropriate time to step down.
• His tenure was marked by struggles with rising inflation, particularly the doubling of rice prices, and a cost-of-living crisis.