TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Monday that he will continue in his role despite a weekend election defeat that has left his coalition without a majority in either chamber of the Diet, Japan’s parliament.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, fell short by three seats in the 248-seat upper house during Sunday’s election.
Although the LDP remains the leading party, the coalition now finds itself in a minority position in both houses, complicating its ability to pass critical legislation.
The lack of a majority does not immediately translate to a change in government as the upper house cannot initiate a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.
In the aftermath of the election, opposition parties are too fragmented to pose a significant challenge to the ruling coalition, and Ishiba is facing increased calls for his resignation from ultraconservative factions within his own party.
Ishiba acknowledged the serious implications of the election outcomes but emphasized his intent to avoid a political vacuum.
He stated, “While I painfully feel my serious responsibility over the election results, I believe I must also fulfill my responsibility I bear for the country and the people so as not to cause politics to stall or go adrift.”
The prime minister highlighted pressing challenges he aims to address, including the impending deadline for a tariff deal with the United States set for August 1.
“Challenges such as global situation and natural disaster won’t wait for a better political situation,” Ishiba added.
Ryosei Akazawa, the chief tariff negotiator and economic minister, is set to travel to Washington for an eighth round of negotiations.
Ishiba expressed a desire to reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement and emphasized his intention to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump “as soon as possible.”
The recent election follows a prior setback for Ishiba’s coalition, which lost its lower house majority last October amid a backdrop of corruption scandals and growing public dissatisfaction.
The unpopular government has been compelled to make concessions to push legislation through parliament, struggling to implement effective measures to combat rising prices and stagnant wages.
The pressure from President Trump has only intensified, with complaints about the slow progress in trade talks and issues related to U.S. auto sales and imports of American-grown rice into Japan.
A proposed 25% tariff set to take effect on August 1 poses another significant challenge for Ishiba’s administration.
At a news conference on Monday, Ishiba affirmed that the LDP and Komeito would maintain their coalition while exploring potential cooperation with opposition parties.
While resisting calls for his resignation, he did not specify how long he intends to remain in office, stating that he is focused on solving pressing national issues.
Younger voters, frustrated by increasing prices outpacing wage growth, have shifted their support toward emerging conservative and right-wing populist parties, feeling overlooked by a government that has historically catered to older demographics.
The Democratic Party for the People, which campaigned on promises of increasing take-home pay, saw its representation in parliament quadruple.
The right-wing Sanseito party, promoting a “Japanese First” platform that includes stricter immigration regulations and restrictions on gender and sexual diversity, surged to become the third-largest opposition party.
The LDP’s dwindling popularity is attributed to widespread discontent concerning its handling of rising prices and foreign resident issues.
Ishiba stated that he would conduct a thorough analysis of the election results to glean lessons from the experience.
Despite the fractured opposition landscape, no party has expressed intentions to forge a full-fledged alliance with the ruling coalition, though some are open to policy collaboration.
Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), emphasized a priority of uniting opposition forces.
“Public opinion clearly said ‘no’ to the Ishiba government,” Noda remarked during an interview with broadcaster NHK.
Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya mentioned that while his party exceeded expectations, it would wait for future elections to strengthen its position and pursue the formation of a multi-party coalition akin to those seen in Europe.
The Sanseito’s rhetoric during the campaign, which included elements of xenophobia, has led to protests from human rights activists and heightened concerns among foreign residents, drawing attention to the complexities of the current political climate.
image source from：pbs
