English Edge Daily – 09/08/2025

📰Today’s article

Title

Ishiba to Resign After Election Defeats, Linking Timing to US Tariff Deal
石破氏、選挙敗北受け辞任へ　米関税協議の妥結を時期の理由に

Article

English	Japanese
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced he is stepping down after less than a year in office, following two major election losses. The decision comes one day before his Liberal Democratic Party was expected to vote on whether to hold an internal leadership election that could have forced him out of the post as prime minister.	日本の首相である石破茂氏は、二度の大きな選挙での敗北を受け、就任から1年未満で辞任すると発表した。この決定は、自由民主党が、首相の座から彼を退かせる可能性のある党首選を実施するかどうかの採決を行う予定日の前日に出された。
The Liberal Democratic Party has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades, but under Ishiba it lost its majority in the lower house for the first time in 15 years, then lost majority in the upper house in July. The world’s fourth-largest economy and US ally faces uncertainty amid tensions with China and fractious politics with the US.	自由民主党は過去70年の大半で日本を統治してきたが、石破氏の下で15年ぶりに衆議院での過半数を失い、その後7月には参議院でも過半数を失った。世界第4位の経済規模を持つ米国の同盟国である日本は、中国との緊張や米国との不安定な政治関係の中で不確実性に直面している。
“Now that a conclusion has been reached in the negotiations concerning the US tariff measures, I believe this is precisely the appropriate time,” Ishiba said. Until Sunday, he had resisted calls to resign, saying it was his responsibility to settle the dispute with Washington before stepping down. He linked the announcement to trade talks and their outcome.	「米国の関税措置に関する交渉が結論に達した今、まさに適切な時だと考える」と石破氏は述べた。日曜日までは辞任要求に抵抗し、退任前にワシントンとの争いを解決するのは自分の責任だと語っていた。彼は今回の発表を通商協議とその結果に結びつけた。
He was referring to a deal signed last week to ease tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Japanese cars and other exports in that context. “I have strongly believed that negotiations concerning the US tariff measures, which could be described as a national crisis, must be brought to a conclusion under our administration’s responsibility,” he said.	彼が指していたのは、先週署名された、ドナルド・トランプ米大統領が日本の自動車などの輸出品に課した関税を緩和するための合意である。彼は「国家の危機とも言える米国の関税措置に関する交渉は、わが政権の責任のもとで結論に至らせなければならないと強く信じてきた」と述べた。
The 68-year-old said he would keep his responsibilities “to the people” until a successor was selected, and the LDP will choose a leader as prime minister after a parliamentary vote. He took office in October 2024 promising to tackle rising prices. Rice prices doubled, and criticism over appointing only two women and giving expensive gifts to party members weakened support.	68歳の同氏は、後継者が選ばれるまで「国民に対する」自らの責務を果たし続けると述べ、LDPは議会投票の後に首相となる党首を選出するとした。彼は2024年10月に就任し、物価上昇への対処を約束した。コメの価格は倍増し、女性を2人しか起用しなかったことや党員に高価な贈り物を渡したことへの批判が支持を弱めた。

📘Vocabulary

1. step down – phrasal verb
   • Meaning: to leave an important job or position.
   • Example: After the scandal, the CEO decided to step down.
   • 意味: 重要な職や地位を退くこと。
   • 例文: 不祥事の後、そのCEOは辞任することを決めた。
2. fractious – adjective
   • Meaning: tending to argue or cause trouble; hard to manage.
   • Example: The fractious debate lasted for hours.
   • 意味: 争いがちで扱いにくい、もめやすい。
   • 例文: その厄介な討論は何時間も続いた。
3. successor – noun
   • Meaning: a person who takes a job or position after someone else.
   • Example: The board named a successor after months of interviews.
   • 意味: 前任者の後を継いで職や地位に就く人。
   • 例文: 取締役会は数か月の面接の末、後継者を指名した。
4. amid – preposition
   • Meaning: in the middle of or during something.
   • Example: Amid heavy rain, the game continued.
   • 意味: ～の最中に、～に囲まれて。
   • 例文: 大雨の中でも試合は続行された。
5. resign – verb
   • Meaning: to officially leave a job or position by choice.
   • Example: She chose to resign rather than ignore the mistake.
   • 意味: 自らの意思で公職や職務を公式に辞める。
   • 例文: 彼女はその誤りを無視するより、辞任することを選んだ。

📝Let’s summarize

Summary	要約
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will step down after under a year, following two election losses. He tied the timing to completed talks easing US tariffs. The LDP will choose his successor after a parliamentary vote amid heightened uncertainty.	日本の首相・石破茂氏は就任から1年未満で、2度の選挙敗北を受けて辞任する。彼は、米国の関税緩和に向けた協議の妥結が時期の理由だと述べた。LDPは議会投票後に後継の党首を選ぶ。
[Word Count: 39 words]

❓Comprehension Questions

Q1: According to the article, what reason did Ishiba give for the timing of his announcement?

A. Because the LDP had already elected a new leader the previous day.
B. Because China and the United States had signed a fresh security agreement.
C. Because talks on US tariff measures had reached a conclusion, he said.
D. Because rice prices had fallen sharply after his economic measures took effect.

問1: 記事によれば、石破氏が発表の時期について挙げた理由は何ですか。
Correct answer: C
正解選択肢: 彼は、米国の関税措置をめぐる協議が結論に達したからだと述べた。
該当文: “Now that a conclusion has been reached in the negotiations concerning the US tariff measures, I believe this is precisely the appropriate time,” Ishiba said.

Q2: What had the Liberal Democratic Party lost under Ishiba’s leadership?

A. It lost its majority in the lower house and later in the upper house.
B. It lost every local election in all prefectures during the past year.
C. It lost its status as Japan’s ruling party and moved into opposition.
D. It lost its budget authority and could not pass any national bills.

問2: 石破氏の指導下で、自由民主党は何を失いましたか。
Correct answer: A
正解選択肢: 衆議院での過半数を失い、その後参議院でも過半数を失った。
該当文: The Liberal Democratic Party has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades, but under Ishiba it lost its majority in the lower house for the first time in 15 years, then lost majority in the upper house in July.

Q3: What did Ishiba say he would do until a successor was selected?

A. He would leave immediately and avoid performing any government duties from that day.
B. He would run again in the internal leadership election scheduled for next week.
C. He would suspend the national parliament until the party settled its internal disputes.
D. He would keep his responsibilities to the people until a successor was selected.

問3: 後継者が選ばれるまで、石破氏は何をすると述べましたか。
Correct answer: D
正解選択肢: 後継者が選ばれるまで、国民に対する自らの責務を果たし続ける。
該当文: The 68-year-old said he would keep his responsibilities “to the people” until a successor was selected, and the LDP will choose a leader as prime minister after a parliamentary vote.

💬Today’s your thoughts

Question

Should political leaders resign after major election losses, or continue until their term ends?
大きな選挙敗北の後、政治指導者は辞任すべきでしょうか。それとも任期満了まで続けるべきでしょうか。

Model Answer – 1（肯定的立場）

English	Japanese
I believe leaders should resign after major election losses to protect democratic accountability.	私は、民主的な説明責任を守るため、指導者は大きな選挙敗北の後に辞任すべきだと考える。
Firstly, resignation respects voters by acknowledging their message and allowing renewal. Because defeats indicate lost support, continuing may blur responsibility. For example, a mayor in my town quit after losses, and a new team could refocus priorities.	まず第一に、辞任は有権者のメッセージを受け止め、刷新を可能にするため、有権者への敬意を示す。敗北は支持の喪失を示すため、続投は責任を曖昧にしかねない。例えば、私の町の市長は敗北後に辞任し、新しいチームが優先事項を立て直すことができた。
In addition, clear transitions limit policy drift. When leaders linger, parties can fracture and agencies hesitate. For instance, a CEO I worked under delayed leaving, and projects stalled; a timely handover might have preserved momentum.	さらに、明確な移行は政策の漂流を抑える。指導者が長居すると、党内が分裂し、機関はためらう。例えば、私が働いたCEOは退任を遅らせ、プロジェクトが停滞したが、適時の引き継ぎなら勢いを保てたかもしれない。
Therefore, stepping aside after serious defeats honors voters, clarifies responsibility, and opens renewal. Succession planning and transparent timelines can reduce disruption while preserving essential services and institutional memory.	したがって、重大な敗北後に身を引くことは有権者を尊重し、責任を明確にし、刷新への道を開く。継承計画と透明なタイムラインは、基礎的サービスと組織の記憶を保ちながら混乱を減らしうる。
[Word Count: 113 words]

Model Answer – 2（否定的立場）

English	Japanese
I argue leaders should stay after major losses to ensure stability and accountability.	私は、安定と説明責任を確保するため、指導者は大きな敗北後もしばらく留まるべきだと主張する。
Firstly, governing requires continuity to finish crucial negotiations and budgets. Because abrupt exits can disrupt agreements, remaining briefly may protect national interests. For example, a minister completed a trade deal before leaving, which could have collapsed during a transition.	まず第一に、統治には重要な交渉や予算をやり遂げる連続性が必要だ。急な退陣は合意を乱す可能性があるため、短期間の続投は国益を守りうる。例えば、ある大臣は退任前に通商合意をまとめ、移行期なら崩れていたかもしれない。
Moreover, staying allows parties to prepare a capable successor. When leaders depart suddenly, factions react, and policy guidance weakens. For instance, our student council president stayed one month, and clubs coordinated plans; the handover then ran smoothly.	さらに、留任は有能な後継者を準備する時間を与える。指導者が突然去ると派閥が反応し、方針の示し方が弱まる。例えば、生徒会長は1か月留まり、各部が計画を調整し、その後の引き継ぎは円滑に進んだ。
In conclusion, leaders should remain briefly after defeats to safeguard projects and hand over responsibly. Clear deadlines and communication can reassure voters while minimizing uncertainty.	結論として、敗北後もしばらく留まってプロジェクトを守り、責任ある引き継ぎをすべきだ。明確な期限とコミュニケーションは、不確実性を最小化しつつ有権者を安心させられる。
[Word Count: 114 words]

News Source: BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98edpz2yn9o