Japan PM vows to "solemnly" accept verdict in upper house election
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Monday that he will "solemnly" accept the verdict of voters, if the ruling coalition led by his Liberal Democratic Party falls short of a majority in the July 20 House of Councillors election.
As the LDP and its junior partner, the Komeito party, have already become a minority in the more powerful House of Representatives, Ishiba said on a TV program that they will "join forces and give it their all" to win a majority in the upper chamber.
In an interview with Kyodo News on Sunday, Ishiba said securing a majority in the 248-member upper house is a "must-attain" goal, but added it will not be easy, as conservative supporters are increasingly seeking alternatives to the LDP.
He declined to comment on how he intends to take responsibility should the coalition lose the upper house. In a weekend Kyodo News poll released Sunday, half of respondents said they do not want the ruling camp to remain the leading force in the chamber.
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