Shigeru Ishiba quits dream job as Japan's PM

LDP MEMBERS URGED HIM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARTY'S LOSS

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Shigeru Ishiba likes the nitty-gritty of policy and geeky pursuit of making military models, but his dream job as Japanese prime minister crumbled yesterday.

Ishiba said he had decided to step down, following calls for him to take responsibility for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's poor performance in upper house elections in July.

The 68-year-old self-confessed defence “geek” has been at the party’s helm for less than a year — a job he only won on his fifth try.

Ishiba said he would “step aside and make way for the next generation”, after members of his LDP had pushed for his resignation and a fresh leadership election.

Brutal fall

It was a rapid and brutal fall for Ishiba, the son of a regional governor and member of Japan’s small Christian minority.