The Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, has denied reports that he wanted to resign by the end of next month, following the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito suffering heavy electoral losses on Sunday.
The LDP-Komeito coalition failed to secure 50 seats after winning only 47 seats out of the 125 contested seats needed to maintain a majority of 125 seats in the 248-seat upper chamber of the bicameral house.
Speaking to reporters after Japan and the United States reached trade agreement, he said: “There is absolutely no truth to what is being reported.”
Shigeru Ishiba told reporters, “I’ll do my best to make sure that people’s livelihoods are protected,” in reference to the tariff agreement after a meeting at the party headquarters with three former prime ministers: Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga, and Fumio Kishida.
