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Key Points

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has suffered a major electoral defeat in the upper house elections. The coalition led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat parliamentary chamber. This marks a significant political shift, following their loss in the lower house election in October 2024. Despite the setback, Ishiba remains committed to governing and addressing key national challenges like wage increases.

Key Points: Japan LDP Loses Upper House Majority in Key Election

  • LDP coalition falls short of 125-seat majority in upper house
  • Opposition parties make substantial gains in parliamentary election
  • Ishiba confirms intention to remain prime minister
  • First minority government in over three decades emerges
2 min read

Japan's ruling coalition certain to lose majority in upper house

Shigeru Ishiba's ruling party faces significant electoral setback, potentially reshaping Japan's political landscape in historic vote.

"We must fulfill our responsibility as the ruling party - Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister"

Tokyo, July 21

The coalition led by Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is certain to lose its majority in the House of Councillors following Sunday's election, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The coalition of the LDP and Komeito is set to fall short of the 125 seats needed for a majority in the 248-seat upper house of parliament, Xinhua news agency reported quoting NHK.

The House of Councillors is made up of 248 members with fixed six-year terms. Elections are held every three years, with half the seats up for election each time. In Sunday's vote, a total of 125 seats, including one to fill a vacancy, were up for grabs.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is expected to expand its seat count, while the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito look set to make significant gains, NHK projected.

Despite the defeat, Shigeru Ishiba has expressed his intention to stay on as Japan's prime minister, adding that the LDP must fulfill its responsibility as the ruling party.

Ishiba told NHK that his party has so far secured enough seats to be the leading party in the upper house, and that he has to fulfill the pledges he made during the election campaign, such as wage hikes to counter rising prices.

The embattled prime minister is expected to hold a press conference on Monday, while all major opposition parties have expressed reluctance to help the ruling bloc by forming an expanded coalition.

In the October 2024 general election, the ruling coalition already lost its majority in the more powerful House of Representatives, or lower house, forcing Ishiba to form Japan's first minority government in over three decades.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya M
The wage hike promise reminds me of our own election freebies. Politicians everywhere make tall claims during elections! At least Japan has better implementation than us 😅
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Amit K
Japan's political system seems more stable than ours despite the changes. Their PM is staying on despite losing majority - in India, opposition would be demanding resignation immediately!
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Sarah B
As someone working in Japan-India trade, this political uncertainty worries me. Hope it doesn't affect the economic partnership between our countries. The bullet train project must continue!
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Nikhil R
The article mentions rising prices - same problem everywhere! From Tokyo to Delhi, common people are suffering. Politicians make promises but where are the solutions?
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Kavita P
Respectfully disagree with the PM staying on. If you lose people's mandate, you should step down. This applies to all democracies, whether Japan or India. Leadership needs accountability.

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