Kishida Fumio, Japan’s prime minister, stands down

Mr Kishida entered office in October 2021, with Japan battling the covid-19 pandemic. His approval ratings began above 50%; under his leadership the LDP sailed through lower-house elections that autumn and upper-house elections the following summer. But the assassination that summer of Abe Shinzo, a former prime minister, triggered outrage over the party’s links with the Unification Church, a cult-like group. In late 2023 systematic financial shenanigans inside the LDP came to light, deepening the malaise.