LDP to gauge lawmakers' support on whether PM Ishiba should be replaced

Japan's ruling party plans to gauge the support of its members in writing on whether it should hold an earlier than scheduled leadership race, a party lawmaker said Tuesday, as incumbent Shigeru Ishiba faces calls to step down following poor showings in recent elections.The Liberal Democratic Party's election panel met to discuss the details of how a presidential election could be called in the middle of an incumbent's term. It has never held such a race based on existing party rules, but Ishiba's defiance to stay on as Japanese leader has led the party to consider the option."It's an issue…READ FULL ARTICLE