Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba Decides To Resign After Election Setbacks : Report

<p>Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to step down, NHK reported on Sunday, in a move that could trigger a leadership race within the ruling party.</p>
<p>The decision comes less than a year after Ishiba took office, marking one of the shortest tenures for a Japanese premier in recent history. His time in power has been overshadowed by mounting political challenges and disappointing election results that weakened his party&rsquo;s grip on parliament.</p>
<p>Pressure on Ishiba intensified following the July elections, where the ruling coalition suffered a crushing blow and lost its majority in both chambers. Weeks of internal criticism and growing calls for accountability left the prime minister with little choice but to resign.</p>
<p>NHK did not specify when Ishiba will formally leave office, but his departure is expected to set the stage for a new leadership contest within the party as Japan faces political uncertainty.</p>