The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are planning to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session, most likely on October 15, to choose a successor to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a senior official was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency, BTA reports.
The parliament is expected to elect a new prime minister on the same day, which would give the green light for the formation of a new government. The likely successor will be the winner of the leadership race of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which will be held on Saturday.
The ruling coalition between the LDP and its smaller partner, the Komeito party, has lost its majority in both houses of parliament, Kyodo noted. However, they remain the largest political force until the opposition parties unite behind a common candidate.
The reason for the leadership race in the LDP is the decision of Ishiba to step down as party leader, taking responsibility for his party's series of election defeats since October last year, when he became prime minister.
Five LDP lawmakers are participating in the race, including Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Interior Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.