Storyline: Japan will see fewer candidates in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader election as the country suffers a landmark political setback, said Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science from Hosei University in Tokyo on Sunday. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday announced that he will resign from his position and step down as the head of the LDP amid growing calls for him to take responsibility for the party's election setback. He also said he would not stand as a candidate in the upcoming LDP leadership election triggered by his resignation. Compared with the record high number of nine candidates competing to become the LDP head and the country's prime minister in the election last year, fewer will throw their hats in the ring this year, said Shiratori. "Now the ruling coalition does not have a majority in the House of Representatives and is in a minority in the House of Councillors. Without a majority, it is highly likely that they will be unable to advance their agenda. Under these circumstances, there will be few people daring to raise their hands and express their desire to become the prime minister," said Shiratori. In July, Japan's ruling coalition of the LDP and its partner Komeito lost its majority in the House of Councillors, signaling deep public dissatisfaction with the government amid a rising cost of living in the country. The defeat follows a similar outcome in the 2024 House of Representatives election, leaving the ruling bloc a minority in both chambers of the parliament, a historic first since the LDP's founding in 1955. Shiratori said Japan is likely to hold an election for the House of Representatives after a new prime minister is elected. "Generally speaking, the new prime minister will hold the election for the House of Representatives when his approval rating is relatively high. So, some people believe that the House of Representatives election may be held around October or November," he said. Shotlist: FILE: Lima, Peru - Nov 15, 2024: 1. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (L) attending meeting FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 2. Various of Japan's National Diet building, national flag Tokyo, Japan - Sept 7, 2025: 3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hiroshi Shiratori, professor of political science, Hosei University: "Now the ruling coalition does not have a majority in the House of Representatives and is in a minority in the House of Councillors. Without a majority, it is highly likely that they will be unable to advance their agenda. Under these circumstances, there will be few people daring to raise their hands and express their desire to become the prime minister." FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 4. Various of National Diet building 5. Sign reading "The National Diet Main Gate" Tokyo, Japan - Sept 7, 2025: 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Hiroshi Shiratori, professor of political science, Hosei University: "Generally speaking, the new prime minister will hold the election for the House of Representatives when his approval rating is relatively high. So, some people believe that the House of Representatives election may be held around October or November." FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2024: 7. Various of Liberal Democratic Party headquarters, signs reading "Liberal Democratic Party" FILE: Tokyo, Japan - April 2024: 8. Various of pedestrians, traffic. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]