(Update 3) Embattled Japan PM Ishiba to Decide His Fate Soon

   Tokyo, July 23 (Jiji Press)--Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba indicated Wednesday that he will make a decision soon on whether to remain in office or step down, now that Japan and the United States have reached a tariff agreement.
   A senior official of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said that Ishiba, also president of the LDP, is seen stepping down after a comprehensive review is made in August on the outcome of Sunday's House of Councillors election.
   On Wednesday afternoon, Ishiba met with Taro Aso, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida, all former prime ministers, at the LDP's headquarters. After the meeting, Ishiba told reporters that the four-way talks did not take up the issue of whether he will stay in office or resign.
   The four shared a "strong sense of crisis" now that the LDP-led ruling pair is short of a majority in both chambers of parliament, Ishiba said, quoting one of the participants as saying, "There should be no division in the party."
   In the closely watched election, the LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, suffered a crushing defeat to lose their combined majority in the upper chamber. The ruling bloc lost its House of Representatives majority in last October's general election for the more powerful lower chamber.

(2025/07/23-18:07)

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