TOKYO: Former foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi became the first ruling party lawmaker on Monday (Sep 8) to throw his hat into the ring to succeed outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as financial markets whipsawed on the political uncertainty.  Ishiba called time on his brief tenure on Sunday, saying he was taking responsibility for bruising elections that saw his ruling coalition lose its majority in both houses of parliament amid voter anger over rising living costs. He