Shaimaa Khalil-Tokyo correspondent
It’s been a cruel summer for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
A series of scandals that implicated the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Mr Kishida’s closest allies within it, and even his family had put his job on the line.
This happened as living costs shot up and discontent simmered within the LDP did not help the embattled leader.
His approval ratings plummeted to record lows. A test loomed Through it all – the party leadership race slated for September.
Some observers said he would fight for another term, but it was not particularly shocking when he announced that he was bowing out of the race for party president – it means he also won’t be prime minister come September when the LDP picks a new leader.
His diplomatic wins – an ambitious budget to expand the military, deeper ties with the US, and a historic détente with South Korea – could not save him.
“The obvious first step to show that the LDP will change is for me to step aside,” the 67-year-old told a roomful of reporters on Wednesday in his usual calm manner.
Except for his words, everything else about him suggested it was business as usual.