A Slap

Japanese voters delivered a sharp rebuke to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Sunday’s election, drastically reducing its total of parliamentary seats in a stunning electoral shift for a party that has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955, and casting one of the world’s largest economies into a period of rare political instability, CNN reported.

With all votes counted as of Monday, the LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, secured only 215 of the 465 seats in Japan’s House of Representatives, falling short of the 233-seat majority needed to govern.

The LDP alone captured 191 seats, a sharp decline from its pre-election standing of 247 and its worst result since 2009.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba – who took office on Oct. 1 and had called the snap election to consolidate his position – called the election outcome an “extremely harsh judgment” by voters.

Ishiba said he would not step down, promising “severe internal reforms” within the LDP and major changes in political funding practices, according to Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, voters gave a major boost to the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) which increased its seats from 96 to 148.

The results underscored public anger over high inflation, rising living costs and a major political funding scandal, which drove much of the opposition’s momentum.

The scandal involved undocumented funds and alleged kickbacks, which damaged the LDP’s credibility. Ishiba’s predecessor, Fumio Kishida, had tried to mitigate the fallout by replacing cabinet ministers and dissolving certain party factions but ultimately announced he would not run for reelection amid widespread public discontent.

Ishiba’s attempt to distance himself from the scandal was seen as insufficient by many voters, who opted instead to back opposition candidates.

The LDP now faces difficult choices: It could attempt to form a minority government, or it might seek alliances with smaller parties to regain a majority.

Still, analysts warned of internal divisions within the party. Ishiba’s outspoken style has made him powerful enemies among traditional LDP factions.