STORY: Japan PM Kishida to step down, not running for ruling LDP president
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 8, 9, 12 and 14, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 14, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:35
LOCATION: Tokyo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaking (courtesy of Prime Minister's office of Japan)
2. various of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in a meeting (courtesy of Prime Minister's office of Japan)

STORYLINE:

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Wednesday that he will not run in the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next month, in a countdown to his three-year term.
   
The nation is expected to see a new prime minister this fall following the announcement by Kishida, perplexed by mounting criticism over the LDP slush fund scandal and diving approval ratings for his cabinet.
   
Kishida told a press conference at the prime minister's office that he takes full responsibility for the fundraising scandal and has decided to "step aside" as a first step to impress on the public that the ruling party can make a change.
   
Kishida had been keen to secure reelection in the leadership race despite his unpopularity, but calls have been growing within the LDP for him to resign amid fears over how the LDP would fare in the next general election under his leadership, national news agency Kyodo reported, citing political pundits.
   
The 67-year-old was elected president of the ruling LDP in 2021 and his three-year term expires in September.
   
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tokyo.
(XHTV)