Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is holding onto his position despite a significant election defeat that left his ruling coalition without a majority in the upper house of parliament. The setback comes as the nation prepares to face new US tariffs and grapples with rising inflation.
In Sunday’s election, Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has dominated Japanese politics since 1955, and its partner Komeito fell three seats short of retaining their majority in the upper house. The coalition secured only 47 of the 125 contested seats, with the LDP winning 39 and Komeito eight, giving them a total of 122 deputies in the 248-seat chamber.
Discontent over economic issues, particularly inflation, led voters to turn to other parties. Notably, the right-wing Sanseito party made significant gains, winning 14 seats. Sanseito’s “Japanese first” agenda echoes populist movements seen in other countries, advocating for stricter immigration rules, opposition to “radical” gender policies, and reevaluations of decarbonization and vaccine initiatives.
The election defeat marks the LDP’s worst performance in 15 years and comes only months after Ishiba’s coalition was forced into a minority government in the more powerful lower house. Despite the losses, Ishiba has expressed his intention to remain in office.
“Although I’m acutely aware of our grave responsibility for the election results, I believe I must fulfill my duty as the party with the most votes and to the people of the country,” Ishiba said at a news conference on Monday. He described the election outcome as “extremely regrettable” but stressed the importance of avoiding political stagnation.
The opposition saw gains as well, with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) winning 22 contested seats and the Democratic Party For the People (DPP) securing 17 seats.
It remains uncertain who might step forward to challenge Ishiba’s leadership, given the LDP’s frequent leadership changes in recent years. The political landscape in Japan appears to be shifting, with populist sentiments gaining traction among the electorate.
As Japan navigates economic challenges and prepares for impending US tariffs, the government’s ability to address voters’ concerns will be critical. The rise of parties like Sanseito indicates a growing desire for alternative approaches to national issues among the Japanese populace.
