Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is poised to pick its next leader at the start of October, looking to replace departing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after his resignation on Sunday in the wake of major electoral setbacks.

The party will choose its next leader on October 4, committee leaders said Tuesday. The candidate could become the country’s next prime minister if they win the support of a majority of MPs in Japan’s parliament.

Ishiba took over the LDP in October 2024 from Fumio Kishida, whose leadership was plagued by corruption allegations and a cost-of-living crisis. Within a week of winning the seat, Ishiba called a snap election, telling reporters it was “important for the new administration to be judged by the people as soon as possible”.

But bruising electio

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