Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged to remain in office after Japan’s ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house during Sunday’s high-stakes election. The results dealt a serious blow to Shigeru Ishiba’s leadership, with public dissatisfaction over rising prices, political scandals, and foreign policy tensions dominating the vote.
“We solemnly accept this harsh result,” Ishiba said during a press briefing at Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters in Tokyo. “But our work continues, especially with pressing trade talks ahead.”
The LDP and its coalition partner Komeito secured 47 seats falling short of the 50 needed to hold control of the 248-seat chamber. The main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party, took 22 seats.
Half of the chamber’s seats were contested in the vote, with winners serving six-year terms. This is the second time PM Ishiba’s coalition has lost control of a house in parliament. In 2024, it lost its grip on the more powerful lower house, raising concerns over the government’s ability to pass legislation.
PM Shigeru Ishiba’s future as prime minister is now in question. The last three LDP leaders who faced upper house defeats resigned within two months. But PM Ishiba said he has no intention of stepping down. His stance sets the stage for potential internal challenges within the party.
Political analysts note that the vote reflected growing frustration among conservative voters, some of whom shifted support to the right-wing Sanseito party. Sanseito, which promotes anti-immigration policies and nationalist rhetoric, expanded its presence from one seat to 14.
PM Shigeru Ishiba has faced criticism from conservative factions for lacking the hawkish views held by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. “Many conservative voters don’t see Ishiba as nationalistic enough,” one analyst explained. “His stance on China and history doesn’t align with the harder-right base.”
Sanseito’s rise has been linked to its pandemic-era online following, where party leaders voiced conspiracy theories and denounced mask mandates and vaccines. The party’s slogan, “Japanese First,” has attracted voters who blame foreign residents for rising living costs and housing shortages.
Ahead of the election, Ishiba established a government task force to investigate alleged offenses by foreign nationals, including land purchases and unpaid benefits. Critics viewed the move as a political concession to nationalist pressure.
Despite the coalition’s defeat, markets remained calm. The Tokyo Stock Exchange was closed Monday for a public holiday, but the yen gained ground on expectations that the results were already priced in.
As discontent grows, potential rivals within the LDP are watching closely. Sanae Takaichi, who placed second in last year’s party leadership race, former security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, and Shinjiro Koizumi son of former PM Junichiro Koizumi are all seen as possible challengers if Ishiba’s position weakens further.
The outcome raises the stakes for Japan’s ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Any shake-up in leadership could stall key agreements and unsettle a government already grappling with economic pressure and shifting voter loyalties.
About the Author
