Projections released by Japan’s NHK suggest a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape, indicating the ruling coalition has likely lost its majority in the House of Councillors, the upper parliamentary chamber.
According to NHK’s projections, the coalition, comprised of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito party, is expected to secure 75 non-contested seats. This falls considerably short of the 125 seats necessary to maintain control of the chamber. The available data suggests the coalition will not achieve any substantial gains, solidifying the loss of majority control.
This marks the first time in the LDP’s 70-year tenure as the leading party of a government that it will not control both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stated his intention to remain in his position despite the apparent decline in voter confidence. Yoshihiko Noda, the leader of the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, stated that the election results represent a clear rejection of the Ishiba government. Noda has called upon Ishiba to outline his plans should he continue to serve as Prime Minister. He further indicated that opposition parties are poised to closely coordinate their strategies moving forward.
