Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in power to oversee the implementation of a new Japan-US tariff agreement, despite media speculation and growing calls for him to resign after the historic defeat of his governing party.

The embattled prime minister said he would remain in office to oversee tariff talks with the United States and other pressing matters.

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba dismisses reports that he will step down next month - The 68-year old leader said media reports that he had already decided to resign were ‘completely unfounded’

Progress in relations between China and Japan could lose some steam if embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba steps down following a crushing electoral loss. Ishiba, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has come under intense pressure since the ruling coalition’s defeat in upper house elections on Sunday.

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba's political future hinges on tariff negotiations following a trade deal announced by Trump. Ishiba plans to assess the agreement's impact before deciding on his position, amid declining support and pressure from his party after recent electoral losses.

With the trade deal with the U.S. now done, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly planning to step down. A Bloomberg report, citing the Yomiuri newspaper, stated that Ishiba is set to announce his resignation this month.

President Donald Trump on Sunday escalated his call for the Washington Commanders to change their name back to the “Redskins,” threatening to restrict the NFL team’s stadium deal if they don’t, though it’s unclear how he would be able to.