Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says he will resign, caving into ruling party pressure to take responsibility for a series of election losses.

Ishiba's resignation will trigger a leadership race in his Liberal Democratic Party, with the winner facing a parliamentary vote to become prime minister.

Since the ruling coalition has lost its majorities in both chambers of parliament, the LDP president is no longer guaranteed to become premier.

There is a slim possibility an opposition party leader will take the helm of the world's fourth-largest economy.

Here is a list of MPs who might throw their hats in the ring:

RULING - LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (LDP)

SANAE TAKAICHI, 64

* If chosen, Takaichi would be Japan's first female prime minister

* A party veteran who has held a variety o

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