logo
Japanese PM's coalition loses majority in upper house election

Japanese PM's coalition loses majority in upper house election

Irish Examiner7 days ago
Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition has failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election, NHK public television said.
Mr Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already had to reach the goal. With two more seats to be decided, the coalition had only 46 seats.
The loss is another blow to Mr Ishiba's coalition, making it a minority in both houses following its October defeat in the lower house election, and worsening Japan's political instability.
Voters fill in their ballots at a polling station in Tokyo (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
It was the first time the LDP had lost a majority in both houses of parliament since the party's foundation in 1955.
Despite the loss, Mr Ishiba expressed determination to stay on to tackle challenges such as US tariff threats, but he could face calls from within his party to step down or find another coalition partner.
'I will fulfil my responsibility as head of the number one party and work for the country,' he said.
Mr Ishiba had set the bar low, wanting a simple majority of 125 seats, which meant his LDP and its Buddhist-backed junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 to add to the 75 seats they already had.
Mr Ishiba could face calls from within the LDP party to step down or find another coalition partner (Shuji Kajiyama, Pool/AP)
Exit poll results released seconds after the ballots closed on Sunday night mostly showed a major setback for Mr Ishiba's coalition.
The LDP alone won 38 seats, better than most exit poll projections of 32, and still the number one party in the parliament, known as the Diet.
'It's a tough situation. I take it humbly and sincerely,' Mr Ishiba told a live interview with NHK.
He said the poor showing was because his government's measures to combat price increases had yet to reach many people.
Sunday's vote comes after Mr Ishiba's coalition lost a majority in the October lower house election (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
The poor performance in the election will not immediately trigger a change of government because the upper house lacks the power to file a no-confidence motion against a leader, but it will certainly deepen uncertainty over his fate and Japan's political stability.
Mr Ishiba could face calls from within the LDP party to step down or find another coalition partner.
Soaring prices, lagging incomes and burdensome social security payments are the top issues for frustrated, cash-strapped voters. Stricter measures targeting foreign residents and visitors also emerged as a key issue, with a surging right-wing populist party leading the campaign.
Sunday's vote comes after Mr Ishiba's coalition lost a majority in the October lower house election, stung by past corruption scandals, and his government has since been forced into making concessions to the opposition to get legislation through parliament.
US president Donald Trump has added to the pressure, complaining about a lack of progress in trade negotiations (Alex Brandon/AP)
It has been unable to quickly deliver effective measures to mitigate rising prices, including Japan's traditional staple of rice, and dwindling wages.
US president Donald Trump has added to the pressure, complaining about a lack of progress in trade negotiations and the lack of sales of US vehicles and American-grown rice to Japan despite a shortfall in domestic stocks of the grain.
A 25% tariff due to take effect on August 1 has been another blow for Mr Ishiba.
Mr Ishiba resisted any compromise before the election, but the prospect for a breakthrough after the election is just as unclear because the minority government would have difficulty forming a consensus with the opposition.
Frustrated voters were rapidly turning to emerging populist parties. But the eight main opposition groups were too fractured to forge a common platform as a united front and gain voter support as a viable alternative.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Death toll rises after attack on church in east Congo church
Death toll rises after attack on church in east Congo church

Irish Examiner

timean hour ago

  • Irish Examiner

Death toll rises after attack on church in east Congo church

The death toll from an attack on a Catholic church in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by Islamic State-backed rebels has risen to 34, officials said. The incident took place in the place of worship in Komanda, Ituri province. Dieudonne Duranthabo, a civil society coordinator, said: 'The bodies of the victims are still at the scene of the tragedy, and volunteers are preparing how to bury them in a mass grave that we are preparing in a compound of the Catholic church.' At least five other people were killed in an earlier attack on the nearby village of Machongani, where a search is ongoing. 'They took several people into the bush; we do not know their destination or their number,' Lossa Dhekana, a civil society leader in Ituri, told reporters. Both attacks are believed to have been carried out by members of the Allied Democratic Force (ADF) armed with guns and machetes. The military has confirmed at least 10 fatalities, while local media reports put the total death toll at more than 40. Mr Duranthabo said attackers stormed the church in Komanda town at around 1am. Several houses and shops were also burnt. Lt Jules Ngongo, a Congolese army spokesperson in Ituri province, confirmed 10 were killed in the church attack. Video footage from the scene shared online appeared to show burning structures and bodies on the floor of the church. Those who were able to identify some of the victims wailed while others stood in shock. A UN-backed radio station said 43 people were killed, citing security sources. It said the attackers came from a stronghold around seven miles from the centre of Komanda and fled before security forces could arrive. Mr Duranthabo condemned the attack 'in a town where all the security officials are present'. He added: 'We demand military intervention as soon as possible, since we are told the enemy is still near our town.' Eastern Congo has suffered deadly attacks in recent years by armed groups, including the ADF and Rwanda-backed rebels. The ADF, which has ties to the so-called Islamic State, operates in the borderland between Uganda and Congo and often targets civilians. The group killed dozens of people in Ituri earlier this month in what a United Nations spokesperson described as a bloodbath. The ADF was formed by disparate small groups in Uganda in the late 1990s following alleged discontent with President Yoweri Museveni. In 2002, following military assaults by Ugandan forces, the group moved its activities to neighbouring Congo and has since been responsible for the killings of thousands of civilians. In 2019, it pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), which has long struggled against the rebel group, has been facing attacks since the renewed hostilities between the Rwanda-backed M23.

Putin suddenly cancels Russia's naval parade after huge losses in Ukraine war as Trump ‘loses patience' with tyrant
Putin suddenly cancels Russia's naval parade after huge losses in Ukraine war as Trump ‘loses patience' with tyrant

The Irish Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Putin suddenly cancels Russia's naval parade after huge losses in Ukraine war as Trump ‘loses patience' with tyrant

VLADIMIR Putin has mysteriously cancelled his annual naval parade at the last-minute as Russia's war losses continue to mount. Ukraine has managed to destroy over a third of Russia's combat fleets in the Black Sea since Putin's invasion in 2022 as well as eliminating over a million soldiers. Advertisement 9 Vladimir Putin has mysteriously cancelled his annual naval parade at the last-minute Credit: AFP 9 A Russian warship upin flames after a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port Credit: TELEGRAM/UNPIXS 9 Russian amphibious ship, the Caesar Kunikov, was sunk off the coast of Crimea in a powerful explosion Credit: UKRAINIAN MILITARY/UNPIXS 9 Russia's event is often touted as an opportunity for Putin to show off his military might but Kremlin officials are yet to provide an explanation into why it has been axed. The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation first announced the cancellation online as they said: "The Kremlin can no longer pretend that the war doesn't affect Russia's home front. "The war impacts all areas of life in Russia, even symbolic and high-profile events like the navy parade. "Today, Russian warships cannot feel safe even on their own territory. Advertisement read more in Ukraine war "Against this backdrop, the news that Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, will be decommissioned and scrapped is especially telling." Work on the hulking Ukraine has systematically laid waste to Putin's naval forces since 2022 in kamikaze drone and missile attacks. In 2024, Putin's newest and only remaining missile cruiser in the Black Sea was Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive Exclusive Breaking The 'Zyklon' was taken out alongside the 266-M minesweeper, Kovrovets, in a devastating ATACMS missiles strike. Putin refuses to meet Zelensky to end war as tyrant's forces kill six in fresh blitz on residential area in Ukraine Its sinking was part of Last April, said it had struck the salvage ship Kommuna - the oldest ship still serving in the . Ukraine's top brass say they have decimated 34 per cent of the Black Sea Fleet's 184 warships had been disabled. Advertisement It is not the first time Putin has been forced to axe an annual Russian celebration due to the raging conflict. He was made to cancel midnight firework displays across Russia on New Year's Eve as a joyless consequence of his war. There were even claims that the war-wounded could be scared of the noise from fireworks. Despite facing crippling losses Putin has continued to launch deadly strikes on Ukrainian civilians in recent days as he continues to anger the US. Advertisement America has accused Moscow of dragging out the war with their senseless attacks instead of agreeing to a peace deal. 9 A Russian rocket boat and other warships float past drawbridges above the Neva River ahead of the 2022 parade Credit: AP 9 Putin out on the water at the parade last year Credit: AP 9 Putin unleashed another deadly blitz on civilians with a fire raging in the Dnipropetrovsk region on Saturday Credit: East2West Advertisement US secretary of state Marco Rubio told Fox News on Saturday that President Donald Trump is now growing 'impatient' with Putin's delaying tactics. He said: "I think he is growing increasingly frustrated that despite having very good interaction with Vladimir Putin in phone calls, it never leads to anything. "The time has come for some action here, and I think the president has made that abundantly clear. "He's losing his patience, he is losing his willingness to continue to wait for the Russian side to do something here to bring an end to this war. Advertisement "That wasn't his war, but he wants to see it come to an end." The US has been trying to force Putin to negotiate a deal with Trump issuing a He vented his frustration with the despot, declaring he was The US and Kyiv have also been pushing to get Vlad to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in what would be the first meeting of the pair since Russia 's illegal invasion. Advertisement But the Kremlin was quick to This isn't likely to happen until the end of August at the earliest, he added. Hours after, Putin ordered his troops to unleash another deadly blitz on civilians. At least six Ukrainians were killed in the horror Russian strikes which targeted a high rise building and left a shopping mall up in flames. Advertisement Kharkiv, Novodvoryansky, Dnipro and Kamianske were all targeted. 9 Death and destruction was brought to Dnipropetrovsk region Credit: East2West 9 Putin has been embarrassed again by having to cancel a parade Credit: Getty

20 of the most popular used cars that have dropped in price in 2025 – including luxury SUV that's now £1,000s cheaper
20 of the most popular used cars that have dropped in price in 2025 – including luxury SUV that's now £1,000s cheaper

The Irish Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

20 of the most popular used cars that have dropped in price in 2025 – including luxury SUV that's now £1,000s cheaper

BRIT drivers are in for a treat, with £1,000s slashed off the prices of some of the UK's most popular used cars in 2025. From the luxurious Lexus RX hybrid to the ever-reliable Nissan Leaf, a wide range of sought-after models are now more affordable than ever, according to new analysis by 5 The Tesla Model 3 is £1,000s cheaper this year, compared to the price of used models a year ago Credit: Getty 5 Lexus'RX has seen the steepest price drop, by over 30% Credit: AP 5 Other models, such as the VW Polo hybrid, saw price increases Credit: Getty 5 The Vauxhall Corsa and VW Golf also saw their prices increase this year 5 Many of the nation's favourite EVs and hybrids saw their prices decline This report particularly highlights a significant drop in prices for used EVs and hybrids, with some models depreciating by as much as 31% in the past year. The findings, based on the AA Cars Used Car Index, reflects a growing supply of second-hand EVs in the market, driven by ex-lease and fleet vehicles entering the forecourt. The Lexus RX (hybrid) saw the steepest price drop, with a 31% reduction, while the Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf EVs - perhaps the two cheapest small EVs on the market - dropping by 20-21%. Furthermore, the Tesla Model 3, one of the nation's most popular EVs, has lost over £4,400 in value, marking a 19% decline. Read more Motors News Overall, AA Cars found the average price of the most searched-for EVs and hybrids fell by 12.8% year-on-year. These falling EV prices are increasing accessibility for UK drivers, with AA Cars reporting record levels of searches for EVs and hybrids on their platform. But despite their newfound affordability, concerns still remain around charging infrastructure, battery range and long-term costs. While EV prices are falling, petrol and diesel values remain mixed. Most read in Motors Some models, such as the VW Polo hybrid, saw price increases - up 9.4% year-on-year - reflecting strong demand. Older models, such as the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, experienced price drops of 11.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Mercedes' new CLA 250+ Sport is its most efficient and intelligent car ever but is spoiled by 'chavvy' feature Speaking on the findings, James Hosking, Director of AA Cars, said: 'Used EV prices have fallen off a cliff in the past year, and for drivers who've been priced out of electric motoring until now, this is a genuine turning point. 'We're seeing a growing wave of supply coming onto the used market, particularly as fleets and leasing firms de-fleet early-generation EVs and hybrids, and that's giving buyers more choice at more accessible prices. 'Our data shows that the price of almost every top EV or hybrid has dropped by double digits over the past 12 months, with some premium models down by more than 30%. "It's possible that some of this fall could be due to the age of EV models on sale getting higher. 'That kind of price movement is bringing greener vehicles within reach of thousands more households and could help to convert curiosity into action. 'The challenge is making sure buyers have the confidence to go electric. "Concerns around charging access, battery range and long-term running costs haven't gone away, and while falling prices are helping to shift EVs from a niche to a more mainstream choice, greater support is still needed to turn interest into long-term adoption. 'The Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate means nearly a third of all new cars sold next year must be fully electric, but success hinges not just on supply; it depends on building real, lasting consumer demand. "The second-hand market is crucial to that journey, especially for private buyers who can't stretch to a brand new model. 'Petrol and diesel values, meanwhile, remain mixed. We've seen strong demand for newer stock like the VW Polo, but prices continue to fall on older models such as the Ford Fiesta. "This volatility shows that while headline prices may be stabilising, buyers are still being highly selective and savvy. 'Ultimately, the used market is a mirror to consumer confidence. The drop in EV prices will help accelerate the shift to zero-emission motoring, but continued investment in infrastructure, clear policy direction and compelling finance options will all be critical to turning this short-term price trend into a long-term behaviour change.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store