Japan’s ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, suffered a major blow in Sunday’s election, losing its majority in the House of Councillors. The outcome marks a critical loss of voter confidence and deepens the political challenges facing the embattled prime minister, Kyodo News reported.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito failed to win at least 50 of the 125 contested seats—short of the majority threshold in the upper house. The loss now deprives the ruling alliance of control in both chambers of the National Diet, a rare and politically unstable scenario in post-war Japan.
With no major opposition parties willing to join the LDP-Komeito bloc, the path forward for PM Ishiba’s minority government appears increasingly difficult. Legislative progress, especially on key bills and the national budget, will now rely heavily on opposition support.
The LDP’s weakening grip on power appears to have opened the door for right-wing challenger Sanseito, which gained significant ground by securing over 10 seats in the upper house. The party, known for its nationalist “Japanese First” platform and controversial stance on immigration, now holds enough strength to submit legislation independently in the chamber.
Sunday’s vote was widely seen as a referendum on Ishiba’s short tenure, with public dissatisfaction mounting over surging inflation, stagnant wage growth, and the administration’s limited progress in resolving trade disputes—particularly U.S.-imposed tariffs.
Reacting to the results, Prime Minister Ishiba said on national television, “We have to take the projected outcome humbly. The LDP must continue to fulfil its responsibility as the ruling party.”
LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama echoed similar sentiments, warning against a political vacuum and urging for stability amid the shifting parliamentary dynamics.
The election outcome places Prime Minister Ishiba in a vulnerable position, intensifying calls for party reform and raising questions about the coalition’s future leadership.