Japan PM rebuffs resignation calls, LDP to weigh early leader race

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated Friday his intention to stay on as Japan's leader, defying calls to step down as the Liberal Democratic Party held a meeting of a key decision-making panel over a recent election loss.After the joint plenary meeting of LDP lawmakers in both houses of parliament, executives of the ruling party said its election committee will consider holding a presidential election -- not due until 2027 -- ahead of schedule, in a rare development for the party that has held power for most of the postwar era.Joint plenary meetings are akin to party conventions where d…READ FULL ARTICLE