The premiership of Shigeru Ishiba, which lasted less than a year, was a slow and public unraveling that culminated in his resignation. A look back at the key moments reveals a leader overwhelmed by successive crises from which he could not recover.
Autumn 2024: Ishiba wins the LDP presidency on his fifth attempt, finally achieving his lifelong goal. Hopes are high for a period of stable, centrist leadership. October 2024: The first major blow. The LDP coalition loses its majority in the powerful lower house election, immediately weakening Ishiba’s mandate. July 2025: The second, fatal blow. The same result is repeated in the upper house elections, creating a divided parliament and legislative gridlock. August 2025: Internal dissent boils over. Factions within the LDP begin openly plotting his removal as his approval ratings plummet. September 2025: Cornered and with no political capital left, Ishiba announces his resignation to avoid a formal ouster.
This timeline illustrates a leader who never gained momentum. Each setback compounded the last, eroding his authority until his position became completely untenable, forcing the end of his short-lived administration.
The Unraveling: A Timeline of Shigeru Ishiba’s 11-Month Premiership
