Tokyo/Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to resign in the wake of a significant electoral defeat suffered by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.

Although the Prime Minister’s Office has not officially confirmed the resignation, NHK’s report suggests that Ishiba has made the decision to step down quietly, following weeks of internal party pressure and public speculation.

The LDP, which has long dominated Japanese politics, lost its majority in the upper house in July — a historic blow that intensified calls for new leadership. Despite initially denying plans to resign, Ishiba had hinted last month that he would wait to ensure proper implementation of a key tariff agreement with the United States before making any final decision.

Ishiba’s anticipated departure marks a dramatic turn in Japanese politics and is likely to set off a scramble for leadership within the LDP as the party seeks to recover from its electoral losses and rebuild public trust.

The move is seen as an attempt to prevent further division within the party amid growing political instability in the country.