Japan PM Ishiba resigns after series of bruising election losses

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday he had decided to resign, ushering in a potentially lengthy period of policy paralysis at a shaky moment for the world's fourth-largest economy. Ishiba, 68, instructed his Liberal Democratic Party - which has governed Japan for almost all of the post-war era - to hold an emergency leadership race, he told a press conference, adding he would continue his duties until his successor was elected. Since coming to power less than a year ago, Ishiba has overseen his ruling coalition lose its majorities in elections for both houses of parliament amid voter anger over rising living costs. Until Sunday, he had refused calls to step down following the latest of those losses...