TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will step down as ruling party leader in September, media reported on Wednesday, ending a three-year term during which he pushed for higher wages and ramped up defence spending.
Kishida, who saw his public support erode amid a series of scandals and amid political squabbling, will not seek re-election in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader, local media, including public broadcaster NHK, reported citing senior administration staff.
His decision to quit will trigger a contest to replace him as party boss, and by extension as the leader of the World’s fourth-biggest economy.
His successor will face rising living costs, escalating geopolitical tensions, and the potential return of Donald Trump as U.S. president next year.
(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by David Dolan and Stephen Coates)
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