Japan PM Kishida to step down, not running in ruling party presidential election

This file photo shows Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaking during a press conference at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 10, 2022. (Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool via Xinhua)
TOKYO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided that he will not run in the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next month, according to local media reports on Wednesday.
The move means Kishida, faced with mounting criticism over LDP slush fund scandals and declining approval ratings, will step down as prime minister.
A press conference will be held at 11:30 a.m. local time. ■