Japan’s Ruling Coalition Loses Upper House Control, Deepening Political Uncertainty
Japan’s ruling coalition suffered a significant blow on Sunday after losing control of the upper house in national elections, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s already fragile hold on power. Despite the defeat, Ishiba vowed to remain in his position, citing ongoing high-stakes trade negotiations with the United States as too important to risk leadership instability.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito secured only 47 of the 124 contested seats in the 248-seat upper chamber—falling short of the 50 needed to maintain a majority. This defeat follows their poor performance in October’s lower house election, the worst in 15 years, which has already made Ishiba’s administration vulnerable to no-confidence motions and growing internal dissent.
“We solemnly accept this harsh result,” Ishiba told public broadcaster NHK. Later in an interview with TV Tokyo, he emphasized the need for unity and focus as Japan faces a looming August 1 deadline to finalize a trade agreement with the United States, or risk facing steep tariffs on exports.
Asked if he would step down, Ishiba simply replied, “That’s right,” signaling his intention to stay on as premier despite the mounting political pressure.
The election highlighted public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economy, particularly the rising cost of living. Consumer frustration has been growing amid inflation, with the cost of essentials like rice sharply increasing. Opposition parties tapped into this discontent, campaigning on promises of tax relief and expanded welfare.
The Constitutional Democratic Party emerged as the main opposition force, winning 22 seats. Meanwhile, the far-right Sanseito party gained significant ground, securing 14 new seats. Once a fringe group known mostly through its YouTube presence, Sanseito capitalized on nationalist rhetoric and fears of foreign influence, resonating with disillusioned voters through its “Japanese First” platform.
The results underscore a growing appetite for political change in Japan, as economic anxieties and dissatisfaction with the status quo begin to reshape the country’s political landscape. With his grip on power loosening, Prime Minister Ishiba faces a challenging road ahead.
