Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba held an emergency press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, announcing his decision to resign as LDP president. According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation earlier that day, Ishiba has decided to resign as prime minister and is expected to formally announce his resignation at the press conference. Ishiba was elected LDP president in September of last year, and his term is due to end in September 2027. In the House of Representatives election held in October of last year, the ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito lost a majority of seats. The ruling coalition also lost a majority of seats in the House of Councillors election held in July of this year. The LDP convened a plenary session of both houses of parliament on the 2nd of this month to review the reasons for its defeat in the July Senate election. At the meeting, Ishiba apologized for the election defeat and stated that he has no intention of clinging to the prime ministership and will make an appropriate decision at the appropriate time. (Kintosh)