<h1>Prime minister resigns as party leader after election losses, stays until October successor chosen; vows tariff deal done</h1> Japan's prime minister announced his resignation as head of the ruling conservative party after internal pressure following consecutive electoral defeats, saying he will remain in office until the party elects a successor expected in October and will not stand in that contest. He framed the timing as linked to completed progress in tariff talks with the United States. The resignation averts an imminent early leadership vote that would have functioned as a no-confidence move. The party now faces factional realignment; the likely new leader must navigate a legislature where the ruling coalition lacks majorities in both houses and will need opposition support to pass legislation.