His employment was under jeopardy due to a string of scandals involving the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Mr. Kishida’s closest allies within it, and even his family.
The fact that this occurred at a time when living expenses skyrocketed and LDP anger was brewing did not help the beleaguered leader.
His approval rating fell to all-time lows. A test, the party leadership contest scheduled for September, loomed over everything.
Though some analysts predicted he would run for a second term, his announcement that he was withdrawing from the party presidential campaign did not come as a huge surprise because it implies he will not be the prime minister in September when the LDP did it.
His diplomatic victories—a large budget for military expansion, closer relations with the United States, and a historic détente with South Korea—were insufficient to keep him alive.
In his typically composed voice, the 67-year-old told a room full of reporters on Wednesday, “The obvious first step to show that the LDP will change is for me to step aside.”
Everything about him suggested it was business as usual, save for his remarks.
