According to NHK, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has made the decision to step down in order to prevent a rift within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Due to voter ire over growing living expenses, the LDP-led ruling coalition, led by Ishiba, has lost the majority in elections for both houses of parliament since taking office last year.

There were no additional remarks from the prime minister’s office.

Since October of last year, the leader had been under more pressure after the setback.

Only weeks had passed since the 68-year-old leader refuted media predictions that he would step down following the party’s defeat in the upper house election before making the announcement on Sunday. Since the trade agreement with the US was set to expire on August 1, Ishiba had made the decision to delay his resignation till the elections in order to avoid political unrest. The PM was expected to step down this month, according to Japanese media.

On Monday, members of the LDP will vote on whether to stage an emergency election for leadership. Last Monday, Ishiba’s government concluded the terms of a trade agreement with the United States.

Less than a year after overcoming conservative Sanae Takaichi to win the election, Ishiba is stepping down.

New political parties, particularly on the far-right, swept to power during the elections and occupied a sizable portion of the Upper House seats.