Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba steps down after a defeat in July’s parliamentary vote

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced Sunday he steps down after increased pressure from his party demanding him to take responsibility for a historic defeat in July's parliamentary election.

Ishiba took office less than a year ago, in Octobr, and resisted demands from mostly right-wing opponents within his own party for more than a month. Ishiba claimed his resignation would cause a political vacuum at a time when Japan faces key challenges in and outside the country.

Ishiba's ruling coalition lost its majority in elections for both upper and lower houses of parliament, shaking the stability of his government. In July, it failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election.

The resignation came a day before his Liberal Democratic Party was to decide whether to hold an early leadership election, a virtual no-confidence motion against him if approved.

Ishiba said during a televised press conference he would start a process to hold a party leadership vote to choose his replacement and that there was no need for Monday’s decision.