Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition suffered a crushing defeat in elections to the powerful House of Representatives.
His Liberal Democratic Party, rocked by a party donation scandal, lost its previous majority in the House of Representatives along with its junior partner Komeito. According to Japanese media reports, both men combined failed to reach the required 233 seats. Therefore, Ishiba needs to rely on more partners to continue to govern stably. The deeply divided opposition is seen as unlikely to form a government.
Ishiba's tenure got off to an extremely difficult start.Image: trapezoid
The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, has made significant progress. It first benefited from voter anger over the LDP donations scandal.
For the first time in 15 years, the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito failed to win a majority in the House of Representatives. To stay in power, they could try to bring in independents or other opposition parties. The conservative People's Democratic Party had previously been considered a possible third coalition partner in the case, but it ruled out joining an FDP-led government on election night.
Ishiba: Must accept the vote with humility
Late at night (local time), Ishiba spoke of the harsh verdict of the voters. The vote must be accepted with humility. The 67-year-old Ishiba took over from Fumio Kishida on October 1. Pre-election surveys have suggested it may be difficult for the United Party to regain a majority.
The Liberal Democrats have ruled the G7 countries almost continuously for decades. Ishiba set about renewing his party, which had been rocked by scandal. Just eight days after taking office, Ishiba dissolved the House of Representatives in hopes of gaining a mandate from voters in new elections on Sunday.
Even with possible “returnees”, this is not enough for most people
The Liberal Democratic Party has not accepted some of its members implicated in the scandal as official candidates for the election. It is predicted that some of them will lose their seats. Those who deny LDP support have close ties to assassinated Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who continued to exert significant influence over the LDP after resigning as leader in 2020. Even if the LDP accepts those who won seats back into its ranks, it won't be enough to gain a majority in the lower house. There will be an election for the House of Lords next year.
Faced with China's lust for power in the region and the threat posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, Ishiba wants to bolster Japan's defenses and bolster the economy of Japan's rural areas, which are suffering from the effects of aging. He also promised voters that he would mitigate the negative effects of inflation. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)
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Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to suffer a crushing defeat in elections for the powerful lower house of parliament. Japanese media unanimously reported based on post-poll voter surveys that the Liberal Democratic Party, shaken by a party donation scandal, had lost its previous sole majority.
