Kishida announces he will step down in September, paving way for a new prime minister

YAY!!!!!

As The Who put it, "meet the new boss, same as the old boss".

Barring some kind of freak event like political awareness becoming a thing in Japan, the LDP are a lock for the next, oh, ten or eleven elections.

I assume the cycle will repeat:

1) elect "safe pair of hands"

2) new safe pair of hands gets temporary boost in polls

3) new safe pair of hands presides over tons of scandals

4) new safe pair of hands sees support rate crater

5) new safe pair of hands resigns

6) GOTO 1.

Political musical chairs distracts the masses from...

That's being brave many cling to power but not PM Kishida.

Yep said this during G7 that most of them would be gone couple months later so it was pointless to meet.

all that tax money wasted on Biden and Kishida meetings.

Different face same policies

Without Abe's living as a mentor, Kishida is nobody!

Out with the old, in with the old.

Just swell. Real swell.

My dog, just think of the millions of Yen the Japanese tax payers will not be faced with when he stops his useless world travels/holidays.

Good riddance. He'll no doubt have his snout buried deep in the trough right till the end.

Can't imagine the replacement to be an improvement either.

Ah yes! I think I have said this here before. become prime minister. Tank in the polls, resign just before the election. Then choose a new leader.then go to the polls.Then the public vote for the same party (again). Stay in power until you tank in the polls, then rinse and repeat. Oh I forgot to mention take a deep bow.

In another break from the past, Kishida also eschewed corporate profit-driven trickle-down economics in favor of policies aimed at boosting household incomes, including wage hikes and promoting share ownership.

That last sentence is a howler!

And consistent with all the New Capitalism and rising wages counter-factual reporting that has happened.

https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00804/

The weak yen,reliance on tourism and exports, continuing subsidies to firms supposedly to boost wages and corporate welfare to energy suppliers and others to keep down costs are all immensely regressive neo-liberal trickle down policies that did not put money in the pockets of Japanese workers.

I am surprised the article didn't mention that 'despite the thundering success of Kishida's 'New Capitalism" that drew envy and praise from around the world PM Kishida is reluctantly stepping down.'

What will be the next LDP suit's catchphrase?

'Japan New Bubble Era Plan'?

Anyway, his New capitalism project wasn't so bad and I'm very sad that he has to go now without any possibility to further setting it into practice. But all the rest was more or less catastrophic. I guess it's by far not all only on him, but instead he hadn't a sufficiently big or maybe even not any support within all those several rivalry ridden inner-party factions and circles.

sad to hear it. You already try your best in bringing new revolution in Japan bureaucratic system, well done.

He knows a recession is coming so he wants to step down before he gets blamed for it. Smart move.

Kishida, stung by his party’s corruption scandals, has suffered dwindling support ratings that have dipped below 20%.

A scandal you say!? Preposterous!

Unfortunately no opposition party is in a strong enough position to kick out the LDP when someone new does take over.

Ah, the empty suit got his selfies and pics with leaders overseas, and now wants out when it's clear there are only problems ahead. As for a "NEW" leader, I can't wait to see the list of the same old men, at least one or two who have already been PM and quit, sign up for the role. Will we have Aso coming back? Suga giving it another shot? We already know Ishiba thinks it's his turn.

Ah thought he might have got COVID or something.

During Kishida's rule, the Yen

Oh.. the G7! Tens of millions of dollars wasted on deadbeat politicians with absolutely no outcome and benefit for the taxpayer whatsoever.

Great news until you remember that he will be replaced by someone EXACTLY the same.

I bet at least 10 candidates will contest for the job!

Whose turn is it now? Doesn't really matter who?

Same old clown show.

What prime minister and Japan has not been rocked by scandal like ever?

Here are some questions for the Japanese public, or a reader. Care to share some insight?

Kishida said he has been mulling his possible resignation for some time? Right?

But he stated he wanted wait until he could put his key policies on track, including energy policy that calls for a return to nuclear power, a drastic military buildup to deal with security threats in the region, and improving ties with South Korea, as well as political reforms.

My question are. And to gain some insight as well.

Are the Japanese as a Nation concerned over the following?

Energy costs? And restarting the reactors? Cause and effect? Lower costs higher costs?

Bolstering the military up to deal the threats Japan faces now at every turn out at sea on the Japan Navy. No more tension free cruises for sure. Senkaku? Japan or China? Who's got ownership? Chinese vessels lurking everywhere.

Improving ties with South Korea? I am here directly in Korea because of improved ties.

How has Kishida done over the last three years taking the scandals out of the equation?

Kishida, scores 7 out of 10 in my book. Higher than mediocre. But no Junichiro Koizumi. Who was the best to ever to do it in my age and era so far.

During Kishida's rule, the Yen -Quite true. Good point! Loving the exchange rate on the USD to KRW here in Pyeongtaek. Osan.

Blame the Fed. In this case not Biden, He has little control there.

“Once a new leader is decided, I hope to see everyone unite and form a dream team to achieve politics that can gain public understanding,” he said.

I'd rather the LDP fractured, forcing the electorate to actually weigh their options at the next election.

smithinjapan-

Optimism my man. Optimism people. Japan's future is bright.

I'm sure he was encouraged to leave by senior members of his party, in much the same way Biden was, as he is seen as an albatross around the neck of the party, in much the same way Biden was perceived.

The big difference is that Jiminto probably doesn't have a Harris or Walz to pull out of their...ummm...hats to reinvigorate the electorate. They just have the same old men, stale ideas, and stench of a stagnant economy and disappearing quality of life for so many.

I'd bet 100yen on the next party leader being a woman, as they try to imitate the US Democratic party's recent success in image enhancement.

During his term HS Kishida achieved anything positive for the average Japanese Taro?

He will be replaced by an older, more older man.

I can't believe he has lasted so long

Three years already.

Wiki tells me there is no general election until October 2025. I do not like political parties changing leader in between elections unless absolutely necessary, such as death or serious illness. If the change is just for factional or political reasons, another election should be held to give the public a voice. This goes for Japan as well as the UK.

Kishida's term will rank as one of the worst of recent Japanese PMs and that's saying something.

As for Kishida's record, he threw around some money in Covid support. Thats about all.

There are lots of low-hanging fruit out there as potential achievements for a Japanese leader, more recognition of gay marriage, spouses with different surnames, female succession for the Emperor, etc., things that don't cost money, but he did nothing.

kohakuebisu

There are lots of low-hanging fruit out there as potential achievements for a Japanese leader, more recognition of gay marriage, spouses with different surnames, female succession for the Emperor, etc., things that don't cost money, but he did nothing.

But, all of those things would have upset the party bosses, which are also his bosses.

And the revolving door starts spinning again. Old geezer out, old geezer in

The phrase 'if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen' comes to mind

Mitsubishi will have a big say because of all the military money coming their way. So who is Mitsubishi Puppet in top 10 and you a winner.

I think the PM is actually a Time Lord -- he just regenerates himself every few years or so. The next incarnation may be Kamikawa in an attempt to deceive voters that the LDP has actually changed (spoiler alert -- it never does).

Will we have Aso coming back? Suga giving it another shot? We already know Ishiba thinks it's his turn.

It's likely going to be a woman leader as a show to the rest of the world that Japan is with the times which means only one thing, Takaichi... oh boy...

I miss Abe...

Japan could become the first country to have a cuddly mascot as PM --"Jiminto-kun".

Taro Aso is too old (and wildly unpopular) and Ishihara is dead.

So how bad could the next one really be?

The guy's finally run out of road and air-miles - all that international jet-setting at vast taxpayers expense has elicited what: precisely nothing. There is no accountability, no checks and balances have been made on the guy.

When they make the video of all his best bits, it's going to be a very short show. Shame really, he could have left a decent legacy if he'd really rolled his sleeves up and actually done something to improve the lives of ordinary Japanese citizens.

I'll stick my neck out here - Taro Kono for next PM, he's been waiting in line a long time.

I never understood why some countries that elect/select old people to be in government, the USA and Japan are at the top of the list. Surely it's better to elect politicians in their mid to late forties that potentially have younger families to keep them grounded in the now rather than the past. And have experience and understanding of technologies.

And nothing of value will be lost.

The bureaucracy of L.D.P. is still there, it doesn't matter who is next. Do you think Ishiba will make any difference ?

Thanks for nothing ?

I never understood why some countries that elect/select old people to be in government, the USA and Japan are at the top of the list. Surely it's better to elect politicians in their mid to late forties that potentially have younger families to keep them grounded in the now rather than the past. And have experience and understanding of technologies.

Not to mention, some energy

SapperJonToday  06:25 pm JST

I never understood why some countries that elect/select old people to be in government, the USA and Japan are at the top of the list. Surely it's better to elect politicians in their mid to late forties that potentially have younger families to keep them grounded in the now rather than the past. And have experience and understanding of technologies.

Yes, but in Japan those younger people either can't afford to be candidates or they're the worthless spawn of LDP incumbents, waiting to take over when their equally worthless fathers retire.

Good news. But it’s not enough—a) rural Japan is controlled by the LDP; b) people are either ignorant or don’t even vote because there’s no real opposition to the LDP. We need to get rid of these oyajis, but how?

It's same situation as 3 years before. 

LDP politicians and supporters have learned nothing from 3 years and don't feel even any responsibility about their choice that had worsened Japan.

They will repeat same failures September, their man-made disaster politics will increase more victim from general citizen, unfortunately.

Finally! The sooner the better!

“Once a new leader is decided, I hope to see everyone unite and form a dream team to achieve politics that can gain public understanding,” he said.

they can’t even develop ONE superstar, what “dream team” is he talking about?

clean the entire roster first.

His bronze oyaji face will be replaced with another one or even worse with a more far right nationalist xenophobic agenda.

People should get rid of the foul LDP.

Don't expect to see anything new or different as the LDP controls both houses, "NEW FACE" !!!? Not gonna happen same with most controlling parties around the globe. England made a daring move and elected a new PM from the opposite, don't expect that in Japan.

This is the way. If you stay too long in position, people will learn to hate you. At least this way, you can forever be called Former Prime Minister even though no one remembers your name, like that dude that came before this one.

He will go down in history books as the Prime Minister who ended Japan's decades of deflation and negative interest rates. He devoted his efforts to try improving the peoples quality of life. He had a down-up approach instead of a top-down approach advocated by Abe Shinzo.

Kishida Fumio deserves praise for his contributions to reform the Japanese economy.

We should remember Kishida Fumio appointed a professor (Ueda Kazuo) with knowledge instead of a bureaucrat to fill the Bank of Japan post, which is unprecedented in recent times.

I salute you. And I'm sorry you were the one who had to deal with the underlying problems within LDP which surfaced during your term.

Excellent news, Kishida has been a disaster for Japan, especially for Japanese sovereignty, being someone so subservient to the US, Kishida sold the sovereignty of Japan for a plate of lentils to the west..

We hope that the next prime minister is not servile and has dignity for the good and sovereignty of Japan..

And open the eyes and see the great advantages that Eastern powers can offer Japan, instead of the false promises, fraud and deceptions of the West..

But sadly, it is something perhaps so complicated to achieve..

TokyoLivingToday 01:38 am JST

We hope that the next prime minister is not servile and has dignity for the good and sovereignty of Japan..

And open the eyes and see the great advantages that Eastern powers can offer Japan, instead of the false promises, fraud and deceptions of the West..

But sadly, it is something perhaps so complicated to achieve..

You're not going to see a PM subservient to China in your lifetime.

How many leaders are still standing after Ukraine support

rcchAug. 14  09:37 pm JST

Good news. But it’s not enough—a) rural Japan is controlled by the LDP; b) people are either ignorant or don’t even vote because there’s no real opposition to the LDP. We need to get rid of these oyajis, but how?

People should forget about parties and vote for whoever else is running in elections, whether they are independents, from the CDP or from minor opposition parties. We would probably end up with no one party getting a majority but they would all just have to work together and compromise to get the best policies.

Simon FostonToday  06:23 am JST “ People should forget about parties and vote for whoever else is running in elections, whether they are independents, from the CDP or from minor opposition parties. We would probably end up with no one party getting a majority but they would all just have to work together and compromise to get the best policies. “

CDP? O.O, IMHO, the best option for Japan is an alternative conservative party and/or significant changes within the LDP.