Japan's Ishiba vows to stay on after election defeat – DW – 07/20/2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalitionwas poised for defeat in Sunday's election for the upper house of parliament.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), already in a minority in the lower house since last October's snap election, has faced mounting public discontent over inflation, political scandals, and a surge in anti-immigration sentiment.
With only 50 of the 125 contested seats needed to retain control, the LDP and its junior partner Komeito looked certain to fall short, according to exit polls.
In recent years, such an electoral defeat has usually led to a prime minister's resigniation. Ishibda, however, has vowed to stay on in order to lead Japan through the difficult terrain of striking a trade deal with the US in the face of looming tariffs.
"We are engaged in extremely critical tariff negotiations with the United States...we must never ruin these negotiations," he told a press conferenece after vowing to stay on as party leader through the trade talks.
This election will also decide the political future of Ishiba.
A major defeat, like last year's, could force his resignation and pave way for a power struggle within the LDP.
Small, opposition parties with anti-establishment messages are likely to erode support from the ruling power.
If the coalition loses both houses, Japan would enter uncharted political territory as the LDP has been in power perpetually since its foundation in 1955, barring a few years in the middle.
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The surge of the right-wing populist Sanseito party is complicating the race.
Once a fringe movement, spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and global elites during the COVID-19 pandemic on YouTube, the party is now gaining momentum with its "Japanese First" rhetoric and criticism of immigration, globalism, and foreign capital.
Analysts say Sanseito could win over 10 seats, appealing especially to young male voters.
Its leader, Sohei Kamiya, has drawn comparisons to Trump and Germany's AfD for his anti-establishment stance and social media reach.
On Sunday, a Sanseito candidate's interview by Russia's Sputnik news agency courted controversy and prompt denials of ties to Russia by Kamiya, according to AFP news agency.
The European Union has banned Sputnik along with other Russian state media for "disinformation and information manipulation."
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