Japan PM Kishida won’t run for re-election as LDP leader

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday said he will not be running for re-election as president of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September, marking the end of a three-year term marred by political scandals.

Kishida’s announcement comes amid revelations about the party’s ties to the controversial Unification Church, and more recently, unrecorded political donations made at LDP fundraising parties.

“As the head of the organisation, I have no hesitation in taking responsibility for a serious situation caused by the (Liberal Democratic Party) member,” said Kishida, referring to the fundraising scandal that has scarred his cabinet’s approval rating.

“I would like to make a clean break by stepping aside and moving on (to support) the presidential election,” he added.

The successor that the LDP chooses will have to unite a fractious ruling group and tackle likely further increases in living costs, escalating geopolitical tensions with China, and the potential return of Donald Trump as US president next year.

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