Japan’s Prime Minister Will Stay Despite Losing Majority

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed on Monday to remain in office despite his ruling coalition’s defeat in legislative elections over the weekend, which has severely weakened his grip on power and left the government vulnerable to no-confidence votes, Reuters reported. 

Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and junior partner Komeito secured only 47 seats in the 248-member House of Councilors, falling three short of the 50 needed to retain its majority in the upper house, in an election in which half the seats were contested.  

The loss is another setback for the ruling bloc, which already lost its majority in the lower house in the October elections – its worst performance in 15 years. 

At a press conference, Ishiba acknowledged the “harsh result” but maintained that he will stay on as prime minister, citing urgent economic issues such as critical trade negotiations with the United States. 

Japan is facing an Aug. 1 tariff deadline with Washington. Failure to strike a deal could see the world’s fourth-largest economy hit with a 25 percent tariff on exports to the US. 

Sunday’s vote was overshadowed by voter anger over inflation, particularly a doubling in rice prices, and the LDP’s refusal to cut the consumption tax – a key opposition demand. 

Analysts suggested that the ruling party’s weakened mandate will force the prime minister to compromise with opposition parties, while also emboldening leadership challenges within the LDP, Al Jazeera noted. 

Meanwhile, the elections also marked a dramatic breakthrough for the far-right Sanseito party, which gained 14 new seats in the upper house.  

Founded online in 2020 by former supermarket manager Sohei Kamiya, the populist group capitalized on voter frustration over inflation, rising food prices, and immigration.  

Its “Japanese First” platform calls for curbing foreign workers, capping resident numbers, and resisting globalist policies, according to CNN. 

Observers said the messaging is reminiscent of other far-right and populist movements in Europe and elsewhere. 

While polls show that immigration remains a low priority for most voters, Sanseito’s rise signals growing discontent with the status quo.  

Party leader Kamiya said his party would rebuild Japanese livelihoods by “resisting globalism.” 

Critics have accused the party and its leader of xenophobia and misinformation, particularly over its promotion of vaccine conspiracies and elite plots.