Japan's PM Ishiba Denies Widespread Resignation Rumors

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has denied Japanese media reports that he is preparing to resign. "Some media outlets have reported this, but I have never made such statements. These reports are not true," he told the media after a meeting with three high-ranking members of his party.

Earlier, the Mainichi newspaper had reported that Ishiba had told his inner circle about his plans to resign at the end of August. The Kyodo agency, citing senior LDP functionaries, called the resignation inevitable. The Yomiuri newspaper reported that Ishiba might even resign in July.