Japan PM Ishiba denies resignation plans after upper house defeat

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has strongly denied media reports that he plans to resign following his ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) significant losses in the recent upper house election, which left the coalition without a majority in both parliamentary chambers. Ishiba emphasized his commitment to focus on the newly unveiled US-Japan trade deal, which reduces tariffs on Japanese autos and prevents punitive levies on other goods, as a key reason for maintaining his leadership. Despite speculation about his resignation and internal party pressure, Ishiba met with former prime ministers to discuss the party's challenges, with no discussion of his stepping down. His departure, if it occurs, would trigger a leadership contest amid rising challenges from far-right parties such as the Sanseito group, which increased its parliamentary representation significantly. The LDP faces a precarious political landscape, having lost its majority and needing to secure opposition support for governance, with the next leader unlikely to call an immediate general election. Ishiba's denial underscores his intent to avoid political instability ahead of critical trade negotiations and amid escalating political fragmentation in Japan.