Yoshihide Suga to step down as Japan's prime minister

Japan's Yoshihide Suga prime minister has said he will not run for re-election as party leader this month, signalling the end of his tenure.

Mr Suga had been appointed to the role just a year ago following the resignation of Shinzo Abe.

The shock announcement comes as Mr Suga's approval ratings dropped to an all-time low.

Japan- which is still under a state of emergency- is now grappling with its worst ever Covid wave.

The country, which has now seen more than 1.5 million virus cases, has also seen a slow vaccination roll out.

The decision to host the Olympics Games this year despite the worsening pandemic also proved to be hugely unpopular.

step down as...   ...の地位を降りる･...を退く

signalling（英　＝signaling（米　

signal n)信号、シグナル、合図、サイン、表れ　v)信号で伝える、合図する

tenure

appoint　ｱポｲﾝﾄ　v)指名･任命する

appointed　ｱポｲﾝﾃｨｯﾄﾞ　adj)指名･任命された

role　ロｳﾙ n)役割･任務･職務

announcement

approval　ｱプ-ﾙｳﾞｧﾙ　n)賛同

a person's approval rating 支持率 

rating

all-time　adj)いつでも変わらない･これまでで最も～な･空前の

grapple グｩﾗｯﾌﾟﾙ　v)grappling with...   ...に取り組んでいる

roll out

prove プﾙｰｳﾞ　v)証明する、示す

hugely　ヒｭ-ｼﾞﾘｰ　adv)extremely