Recently, a picture posted on U.S. President Joe Biden's social media showed him and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida riding together in the presidential limousine during a meeting in Washington. With Kishida experiencing challenges such as waning approval ratings and reelection uncertainties, suggestions have emerged within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that he should take a page from Biden’s book, who made the decision not to run for re-election amidst similar circumstances.
Members of the LDP have commented on the situation, with a former Cabinet member stating that Biden's resignation from the race should prompt Kishida to retire swiftly and with integrity. This move comes hot on the heels of former President Donald Trump securing the Republican Party's nomination, highlighting the dynamic nature of U.S. politics and its impact on global leaders like Kishida. Toshimitsu Motegi, the LDP secretary-general with aspirations to run against Kishida in the party’s presidential race, made reference to his interaction with Trump during Japan-U.S. trade negotiations, potentially positioning himself as a candidate capable of working with heavyweight leaders like Biden.