Japan’s Koizumi urges Ishiba to step down early, Nikkei says

FILE PHOTO: Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a tasting event of stockpiled rice in Tokyo, Japan May 29, 2025. He is seen as a political heir with ambitions of his ow. - Reuters

TOKYO: Japanese Agricultural Minister Shinjiro Koizumi urged Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to step down, Nikkei reports, a move that comes amid growing calls for the ruling party to hold an early leadership election.

Ishiba faces a key vote on Monday (Sept 8) on whether the Liberal Democratic Party will hold the leadership poll. The party has been wracked by weeks of internal wrangling, with the prime minister insisting on staying in power despite a second national election setback that cost the LDP control of both chambers of parliament.