Ishiba reiterates intention to stay in office

Jiji Press, Philippine News Agency

Ishiba denied media reports that he will announce his resignation as early as this month, telling reporters, “I have never made such remarks.” (File Photo: Shigeru Ishiba/Facebook)

TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated his intention to remain in office Wednesday despite his ruling bloc’s crushing defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary election.

Ishiba denied media reports that he will announce his resignation as early as this month, telling reporters, “I have never made such remarks.”

He promised to “make full efforts to protect people’s lives,” referring to the Japan-US tariff agreement that US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday.

Ishiba made the comments after an 80-minute meeting with his predecessors Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga, and Fumio Kishida. “My fate was not discussed at all” at the meeting, the prime minister said.

The meeting came as members of Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party are increasingly against his decision to stay on following its defeat in the House of Councilors election. (Jiji Press)