Japan’s Ishiba set to step down by August-end, reports local newspaper

Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to step down by August, given the results of the upper house election, according to the Mainichi newspaper.Ishiba has already made his decision known to those close to him, the Mainichi said Wednesday, shortly after the US and Japan announced a deal to cut the US’s car and across-the-board levies on Japan to 15%.

The Japanese leader is set to meet with three former prime ministers later Wednesday, when he’s set to discuss his future, the Mainichi said.

Japan had its upper house elections on Sunday, which have significantly weakened Ishiba’s domestic position. The prime minister has cited the trade talks as one of the reasons why he needs to stay on, but an agreement with the US would seemingly clear the way for him to step down after a historic defeat at the polls.Following the election loss, support for Ishiba’s administration has plunged with a major poll showing his approval rate slightly above 20%, a level that’s historically been considered dangerously low for an administration to continue.

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