Shigeru Ishiba, former Prime Minister of Japan, has voiced strong criticism over recent remarks by a senior government official suggesting Japan should acquire nuclear weapons.

Japan’s Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has resigned in full ahead of the election of a new prime minister.

Japan’s parliament is expected to hold a vote to select the next prime minister on October 21, government and ruling party sources said Tuesday.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has announced it will elect a new leader on October 4, following the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation has injected fresh uncertainty into Japan’s political and economic landscape, raising questions over the timing of the Bank of Japan’s next interest rate hike.

On Friday, the leaders of India and Japan agreed to strengthen economic relations and enhance cooperation in key areas such as clean energy and defense, amid shared concerns over China’s expanding influence and U.S. trade tariffs.

The Japanese government has expressed concern over the country's declining population and shrinking agricultural land, recognizing these issues as significant challenges for the nation's future.