Japanese PM Ishiba speaks at podium, flanked by officials, addressing trade talks and election loss.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is apparently thinking of resigning his office but only after evaluating the result of the current tariff talks with the United States, as reported by Yomiuri newspaper.
Ishiba reportedly told his inner circle in the evening on Tuesday that he would explain how he intends to accept responsibility for the ruling coalition's heavy defeat in the just-concluded upper house elections, once the outcome of the trade negotiations is decided.
Ishiba is already facing growing pressure from within his own Liberal Democratic Party. Several members of the party are said to be dissatisfied with his refusal to stand down from office even as the coalition fared badly in Sunday's election.
Nevertheless, Ishiba justified his action in a Monday press conference, citing the need for continuity in leadership at a time when Japan is struggling with sensitive trade negotiations. "I will remain in office and try to the best of my ability to steer a course toward solving these problems," he stated.
The breakthroughs follow soon after that U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that a 'massive' trade agreement had been reached with Japan, with $550 billion in investments to come into the U.S. economy.
In response to Trump's comment, Ishiba said he would like to know more details before weighing in on the implications. "I can't say until I scrutinise the outcome of the agreement," he said, noting he would be briefed by Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, who has been holding talks in Washington.
After the briefing, Ishiba will reportedly meet directly with President Trump in person or via telephone to learn the extent of the deal.
"I plan to talk to Trump straight away and bring back concrete results," he insisted at Monday's press conference.
Later on Wednesday, Ishiba is also scheduled to meet with senior figures from his ruling party to further discuss the fallout from the election and his next steps.
