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In a stunning rebuke, Ishiba’s coalition lost its majority in the country’s upper house amid frustration over rising prices and the threat of US tariffs.
The future of Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba’s leadership is uncertain after the upper house setback. (Reuters)
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he has no plans to quit after the ruling coalition lost its majority in the country’s upper house to a right-wing populist party, in a stunning rebuke that threw the future of his leadership into uncertainty.
Having already lost its majority in Japan’s more powerful lower house in October last year, Ishiba’s coalition received a drubbing in the Upper House after his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner Komeito won only 47 of the 125 seats in a tightly-contested election on Sunday, short of the 50 needed for a majority.
Voters expressed frustration over rising prices and the threat of US tariffs, and turned to right-wing parties. The far-right Sanseito party won 14 seats, up from one seat, giving it a significant presence in the upper house, while the centre-right Democratic Party won 22. The centre-left main opposition Constitutional Democratic party won 37 seats.
‘Harsh Result’
Speaking to the press after polls closed on Sunday, Ishiba said he “solemnly” accepted the “harsh result” but vowed to stay on to deal with trade negotiations, as Japan faces a tariff deadline of August 1 with the United States.
Asked whether he intended to stay on as prime minister and party leader, he said: “That’s right. It’s a difficult situation, and we have to take it very humbly and seriously.”
However, the setback will weaken Ishiba’s position just days before the country needs to negotiate a deal with the Trump administration for reaching a trade deal to avoid punishing US tariffs. Three LDP PMs before Ishiba have resigned within two months after losing majority in the upper house.
If Ishiba does go, it was unclear who might step up to replace him now that the government needs opposition support in both chambers to pass legislation.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
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