Japan's New Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Plans Snap Election For October 27

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned with his Cabinet on Tuesday (October 1, 2024), paving the way for his likely successor Shigeru Ishiba to take office.

Mr. Kishida took office in 2021 but is leaving so his party can have a fresh leader after his government was dogged by scandals. Mr. Ishiba plans to call a parliamentary election for October 27 after he is formally chosen as Prime Minister later in the day.

“I believe it is important to have the new administration get the public’s judgment as soon as possible,” Mr. Ishiba said Monday in announcing his plan to call a snap election. Opposition parties criticised Mr. Ishiba for allowing only a short period of time for his policies to be examined and discussed in parliament before the national election.