If the LDP picks its next leader in a way that disregards public criticism of the political funding scandals, the party could suffer a crushing defeat,
By stepping out of the race, Kishida has cleared the way for an especially chaotic LDP election, turning what was already looking like a competitive race with a vulnerable incumbent into a free-for-all with numerous plausible contenders but no obvious favourite,
The only thing I can do is to improve my abilities as a politician."
He has been much more popular overseas than here in Japan, and it is significant that several foreign leaders have praised his leadership on the global stage,
It has been a bad year for Kishida personally, and the party more generally,
I feel a little sorry for Kishida because the things that have brought him down are the toxic legacies of previous LDP administrations,
It is very possible that with a general election due before the end of October next year, the party elders nudged him because they hope that by replacing the leader that they might be able to press the reset button,
He hosted the G-7 meeting in Hiroshima in May last year, underlining again his diplomatic credentials, and in July he became the first Japanese leader to attend a NATO summit, another important security statement,
I think it is unlikely that having a new person will be able to solve all the party's problems, but I imagine that Kishida is feeling quite under-appreciated by the party right now,
Kishida has done a number of good things. But he has been very ill capable in communicating his (achievements and visions) to the Japanese public. That’s his failure,
There is basically near consensus in terms of the US-Japan alliance, and considering the current strategic environment in Asia Pacific, the LDP and other politicians in Japan would consider the current cause of action as pretty good,
Objectively speaking, Japan's options are not many in number, and the path forward is narrow. There is going to be very little difference between now and the future when it comes to Japan's foreign policy.”
Kishida wants to show genuine commitment to the reform of LDP. In order to improve both his and LDP’s image, he decided to step down.”
As a result of what was seen as indecisive handling of those scandals, that really harmed both Kishida’s popularity and the overall popularity of the party,
Kishida has been very good, but exceptionally unlucky,
If you see what the polls say of the opposition parties, there is a fair chance for the LDP to regain popularity from the Japanese public,
What the market wants to see and what is good for the macroeconomy in general is that we see a 'new wind',
Wage increases were the notable achievement of the Kishida administration and I hope the next government will continue that,
Yes, Kishida wasn't popular, but will his successor be able to better handle Japan's economy? Nobody knows,
The advent of exchange-rate inflation really, really hurt the prime minister,