Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has decided to resign to avoid a split within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, NHK reported.
With Ishiba at the helm, the LDP-led ruling coalition has lost its majority in elections for both houses of parliament since coming to power last year, amid voter anger over rising living costs.
The Prime Minister's Office did not make further comments.
The loss had added pressure on the leader since October last year.
The announcement on Sunday came just weeks after the 68-year-old leader had denied the media reports that he would resign after the party lost the upper house election.
LDP lawmakers are scheduled to vote on Monday on whether to hold an extraordinary leadership election. Ishiba's government finalised details of a trade deal with the United States last week.
