Japan’s ruling coalition loses majority for first time in 31 years

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s camp has lost control of both chambers of the country’s parliament

The ruling coalition of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has lost control of the upper house of the National Diet, making it a minority in both chambers of the country’s parliament. It is the first time since 1994 for Japan’s ruling parties to lose majority control of both houses.

Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito lost 19 seats in Sunday’s election, falling short of the threshold needed to control the 248-member House of Councilors. With 122 seats, they are now three short of a majority.

The ruling camp had already suffered a heavy blow earlier this year when it lost control of the lower chamber of the Diet after Ishiba announced a snap election in the House of Representatives amid a party corruption scandal.

The main opposition party – the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan – maintained its 22 seats. The biggest opposition gains came from the center-right conservative Democratic Party For the People (DPP) and the ultraconservative populist Sanseito, which each won 13 seats.

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The DPP has gained traction with calls to limit taxes to mitigate the impact of Japan’s rising inflation, while Sanseito has lobbied for a ‘Japanese First’ push to limit immigration into the country. The parties now control 17 and 14 seats, respectively.

Despite calls from his party to resign, Ishiba has vowed to remain in office and engage with the opposition, describing the situation as a “national crisis.” At a press conference on Monday, he pledged to promote wage increases to counter rising prices and to engage US President Donald Trump directly to negotiate a trade deal.

The defeat comes at a difficult time for Japan as it contends with inflation and the looming prospect of Trump’s 25% tariffs on Japanese goods, which are set to take effect on August 1.

Washington is also reportedly pressuring Tokyo to take a stance against China in any potential conflict over Taiwan.

READ MORE: Pentagon pressuring Japan and Australia over China – FT

Moscow has condemned US-led military drills involving Japan and South Korea in the region as a destabilizing influence.