TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly declined Wednesday, echoing a fall on Wall Street, as political uncertainty took centerstage in Japan, making for cautious trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 shed nearly 1% in afternoon trading to 41,894.70.

The fate of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been uncertain for weeks, with calls growing both for him to resign and to remain, after a recent election defeat and the rise of fringe parties have shaken public faith in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Confidence was rocked further by a recent comment from Ishiba's ally, Hiroshi Moriyama, who said he was stepping down as party secretary general.

“The political tremor is domestic, with Prime Minister Ishiba’s key power broker signaling his resignation, shakin

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