Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has decided to step down as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and eventually from his role as head of government. Now, the LDP will choose a new leader, and Japan will have a new prime minister, to be selected by a vote among Diet members. Several candidates from last year’s LDP presidential race have chosen not to run this time. During the 1970s, the party endured fierce internal power struggles, resulting in a new prime minister roughly every two years. Ohira Masayoshi did not hesitate to challenge Prime Minister Fukuda Takeo in a party primary – and won.