Fumio Kishida to resign as Japanese prime minister

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday he would not seek to stay in office and that Japan will have a new leader this fall. Kishida, 67, has strengthened ties with the United States and South Korea during his three years in power and has nearly doubled Japan's defense spending under his watch. But at home, his popularity has been hit by a political funding scandal and relatively high inflation. Kishida told a news conference that he would not seek re-election as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in an election scheduled for September. Traditionally, the LDP leader also serves as prime minister or head of government. Potential successors to Kishida include Taro Kono, 61, digital minister, and Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, former foreign minister. Meanwhile, some in the party have called for a younger candidate, such as Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, former environment minister. (Kinju)