Japan’s Prime Minister steps down before likely successor takes office

FILE – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters at his office in Tokyo, on April 30, 2024 as he acknowledged that his governing party’s major defeat in the weekend’s by-elections was due to a slush fund scandal. (Kyodo News via AP, File)

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned with his Cabinet, paving the way for his likely successor Shigeru Ishiba to take office.

Chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that Mr Kishida and his ministers stepped down at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.