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Kishida’s resignation opens the door to a chaotic era
Like US President Joe Biden, the Japanese PM bowed to polling reality. But there is no heir apparent in sight.
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News of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's resignation being broadcast in Tokyo on Aug 14.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Gearoid Reidy
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In the end, Mr Fumio Kishida could not escape the pull of gravity. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect its new leader late in September and, in recent weeks, the momentum in Tokyo had been swinging one way: that the unpopular but famously stubborn Mr Kishida would run, and win, as potential successors demurred and bided their time for a better opportunity.
That momentum suddenly ran out on Aug 14 when, in the midst of the normally lazy Obon holiday season, the Prime Minister announced he wouldn’t seek another term as LDP head,
