Japan Deserves Far Better Leadership Than This

After weeks of speculation, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is finally stepping down. But has the embattled ruling party learnt its lesson?

- Gearoid Reidy

Japan's ruling bloc was desperate. Hammered by scandals and sinking ratings, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) gambled on a new leader less than a year ago. They chose Mr Shigeru Ishiba. And to quote what Michael Caine's Alfred Pennyworth said of the Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight, in their desperation they turned to a man they didn't fully understand.

Mr Ishiba, who after weeks of speculation announced his resignation on Sept 7, is no Joker. But he will be remembered as something of a punchline – and his time in power one of tumult that has threatened to reduce the country's international standing at a moment of global transformation.

The Premier was always an enigma, and got the job only because the kingmakers preferred him to the alternative, arch-conservative Sanae Takaichi.

But few could have foreseen that a man who spent his entire career seeking leadership would have so flimsy a plan that he would lose three elections in less than a year. Right-wingers have deserted the party, and his initial refusal to step down threatened to split it in two.

His main economic idea to fight inflation was an unwanted US$135 (S$170) one-time handout that never materialised. His premiership has been bogged down dealing with the threat of US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The deal Mr Ishiba agreed to is unspectacular, and unbefitting of Japan's special relationship.