Upper House Election: Japan Ruling Bloc Loses Majority in Upper House; Ishiba Vows to Remain Prime Minister
This is the first time since the party was founded that an LDP-led government has lost its majority in both houses of the Diet.
Ishiba, who is president of the LDP, has said that he will stay on as prime minister. However, he will likely struggle to steer the government, as some within the LDP will hold Ishiba responsible for the election result.
The LDP won 39 seats — the third lowest number in its history — in Sunday's election, while Komeito won a record-low eight, significantly down from the combined 66 seats that were on the line. The ruling bloc therefore failed to maintain a majority of 125 seats in the 248-seat chamber, including the 75 seats that were not contested in the latest election.
'We must humbly and sincerely accept this difficult situation,' Ishiba said Sunday night on an NHK program. 'We must fully recognize our responsibility as the largest party.'
When asked on a TBS program if he would continue as prime minister, Ishiba said he would. 'We must always consider how to avoid creating a political vacuum and minimize confusion,' he said.
Among the 32 decisive constituencies where only one seat was up for grabs, the LDP managed to win in 14, including its conservative strongholds of Tochigi, Gunma, Fukui, Yamaguchi and Kumamoto. In contrast, opposition parties won in Iwate, Akita, Nagano, Kagawa and Ehime, showing their strength in the Tohoku and Shikoku regions.
The LDP, Komeito, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito engaged in fierce battles in the 13 constituencies where more than one seat was contested. Komeito fielded seven candidates in these constituencies and lost its seats in Saitama and Aichi.
The CDPJ kept all of its 22 seats that were contested in this election, having pledged a consumption tax cut and harshly criticized the government.
CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda said on an NHK program Sunday, 'The people have expressed their opposition to the Ishiba administration.'
On a Fuji TV program, Noda said it was 'within the realm of possibility' that he would submit a motion of no confidence against the Ishiba Cabinet.
The DPFP won 17 seats on Sunday, among them seats in 10 constituencies including Saitama and Aichi. The Japan Innovation Party won seven seats that were up for grabs. Sanseito made a significant breakthrough by increasing its upper house seats to 15, including a seat that was not up for grabs in this election. In the proportional representation segment, the CDPJ, the DPFP and Sanseito each secured seven seats.
The Japanese Communist Party won three seats that it competed for in Sunday's race, and Reiwa Shinsengumi also won three. The Conservative Party of Japan secured two seats, marking its first-ever presence in the upper house. The Social Democratic Party and Team Mirai each won one seat on Sunday.
The ruling bloc proposed the provision of ¥20,000 per person — with an additional ¥20,000 for children and adults in households exempt from resident tax — as a measure to combat rising prices. The opposition parties unanimously called for a consumption tax cut.
The ruling bloc's measure failed to gain public support, and the stalled Japan-U.S. negotiations over tariffs imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump also posed a strong headwind for the ruling parties.
The upper house has 248 seats, with half up for grabs every three years. This time, 125 seats were contested: 74 in constituencies, 50 in proportional representation and one vacant seat in the Tokyo Constituency. A total of 522 candidates ran in the election.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Mainichi
10 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Japan may face political turmoil if PM quits soon after election loss
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- If Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigns soon, the move could herald political turmoil in Japan, as no decisive winner emerged from Sunday's House of Councillors election, in which the ruling bloc suffered a major setback. Having lost its majority in both chambers of parliament it remains unclear whether the ruling Liberal Democratic Party could even produce the next prime minister from within its own ranks, should Ishiba step down. Amid deep ideological divisions, prospects for an opposition-led government are dim, compelling the LDP's next leader to pursue new alliances. Should coalition talks falter, Japan could be thrust into a period of prolonged political turbulence, analysts warn. The ruling bloc was already a minority in the more powerful House of Representatives following last year's general election, held about a month after Ishiba won the LDP leadership race in late September. Frustration over his government's failure to take effective measures to ease the negative impact of inflation on the economy also led to the LDP losing this year's Tokyo metropolitan assembly election one month before the upper house race. A government official said, "Ishiba struck out on three pitches. He's out and it's time to switch sides." Some pundits say Ishiba's reluctance to cut the consumption tax rate to maintain the social security system -- a move believed to favor the elderly -- is viewed by the younger generation as tone-deaf to household struggles, eroding support across ideological lines. The LDP has not clarified whether it will begin discussing a consumption tax cut with opposition parties. Ikuo Gonoi, a politics professor at Takachiho University, said the public "will not be satisfied" unless the ruling party "makes concessions" on the issue. Ishiba, meanwhile, said Japan has reached a crucial trade agreement with the United States, avoiding the worst-case scenario of a 25 percent "reciprocal tariff," but the deal's conclusion may pave the way for Ishiba's exit, the pundits added. While the ruling camp's loss of its majority in both the lower and upper houses has provided a window of opportunity for opposition parties to take power, they have been ideologically fragmented, particularly on national security issues. Even if the LDP-led coalition remains the core of the government, it must seek cooperation from opposition parties to pass individual bills and budgets, at least until the next scheduled upper house election in three years. Ishiba's resignation would force the LDP to hold a leadership race -- either involving rank-and-file members or decided swiftly by lawmakers alone. A shift toward a more conservative, pro-spending figure might be the party's best bet. Sanae Takaichi, a former minister for economic security, is considered a top candidate to succeed Ishiba. She won the most rank-and-file votes in the previous LDP leadership race and would become the party's first female president if elected. Takaichi, known as an advocate of expansionary fiscal spending and hawkish national security policies, could trigger a broader political realignment as Ishiba has alienated conservative supporters from the LDP. If the LDP pivots rightward, the possibility of a grand coalition with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan would diminish, as the largest opposition force holds more left-leaning perspectives on security and diplomacy. But some conservative opposition groups that gained momentum in the latest election -- such as the Democratic Party for the People and the right-leaning populist Sanseito party -- could align with Takaichi's LDP, making a coalition feasible. Even so, it remains to be seen whether Takaichi can become Japan's first female prime minister. As a last resort to expand the coalition, the LDP could tap a partner party leader as premier in exchange for securing a bicameral majority. In Japan, the biggest party in parliament has occasionally handed the prime ministership to the leader of a smaller coalition partner to form a government, most notably after the LDP was briefly ousted from power in 1993. Other potential successors to Ishiba could face difficulties bringing other parties into the coalition, as many are regarded as moderates like him. He has prompted conservative opposition groups to further distance themselves from the LDP. Farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who has regained media attention for promoting efforts to curb surging rice prices, is perceived as a close ally of Ishiba, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi shares the blame for Sunday's setback as the government's top spokesman. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Ishiba's predecessor, appears eager to make a comeback, but he has not escaped criticism for losing the conservative support base that Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving premier who was assassinated in 2022, had built. Only Koizumi seems well-positioned to forge a coalition government with the conservative Japan Innovation Party, as he has a "strong affinity" with its leader, Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, the group's founder Toru Hashimoto said on a TV program. If the next LDP president fails to join hands with groups other than its long-standing partner Komeito party, the opposition bloc could submit a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet. Given the seat distribution in the lower house, the motion is set to pass. The new leader would then most likely dissolve the lower house and call a snap election, said Masamichi Adachi, chief economist for Japan at UBS Securities, adding, "In any case, political uncertainty is expected to continue for some time."
Kyodo News
13 hours ago
- Kyodo News
Kyodo News Digest: July 26, 2025
TOKYO - The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Over 50% of Japan's upper house lawmakers oppose LDP-led government TOKYO - A postelection survey conducted by Kyodo News showed Friday that 56.4 percent of House of Councillors members do not favor a ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito party. Asked about the preferred form of government after the election, 23.3 percent supported an opposition-led coalition, while 33.1 percent called for a new political framework through realignment, indicating a desire for change from the current ruling structure. ---------- China lodges protest with Japan over Taiwan foreign minister's visit BEIJING - China has lodged a strong protest with Japan over a recent visit by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, criticizing it as an opportunity for the self-ruled island to engage in separatist activities. The protest was made by Liu Jinsong, head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Department, in a meeting with Akira Yokochi, chief minister at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, on Friday. Liu criticized Japan for allowing Lin to visit as it sends a "wrong signal," according to China's Foreign Ministry. ---------- Hundreds gather to support Japan PM Ishiba amid calls for resignation TOKYO - Hundreds of people filled the streets outside Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's office on Friday, urging him not to step down in a rare show of support for the embattled leader, who is facing growing pressure from within his own party to resign following a crushing election loss. The hour-long rally in the sweltering summer heat in Tokyo was marked by a crowd of people holding up placards, chanting "Hang in there!" and "Don't quit!" ---------- Tokyo sushi worker killed at restaurant, allegedly by colleague TOKYO - A 32-year-old man was fatally stabbed Friday, allegedly by his colleague, at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo's busy Ikebukuro area where he worked, police said. The police arrested Masahito Ishioka on suspicion of murdering Tomoyuki Iwata at around 4:30 p.m., before opening time, they said, adding that the 56-year-old admitted to having killed him due to an interpersonal problem. ---------- Japan raises travel alert for Thailand, Cambodia border, amid clashes TOKYO - Japan's Foreign Ministry on Friday raised its travel alert for the Thailand-Cambodia border area following recent armed clashes between the two Southeast Asian countries, advising citizens not to visit the region. Under the updated travel advisory, the designated area has been placed under a level 3 alert, the second-highest on the four-point scale, urging nationals to "avoid all travel." ---------- Latvian staffer at Osaka expo goes viral with love of Japan OSAKA - A Latvian staff member at the World Exposition in Osaka has drawn over half a million social media followers after posting about his experience of engaging with Japanese language and culture as a foreigner. Artur Galata, 31, who has been posting on X and Instagram, said he was "very happy to work in my favorite country" after having visited 11 times since April 2017, traveling to more than 40 of the 47 prefectures. ---------- Kirin launches 20-yr whisky aging service for life milestones TOKYO - A new service launched by Kirin Brewery Co. lets customers purchase malt whisky at key life moments and age it for 20 years, offering tasting samples along the way to experience the flavor's evolution. The initial offering, launched June 6 on the crowdfunding platform Makuake, sold out the same day. The major Japanese brewer hopes to roll out the service on a larger scale next year. ---------- Baseball: Ohtani's homer streak ends, Imanaga roughed up BOSTON - Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had his homer streak snapped at five games Friday, while Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga had his worst outing of the season. Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a single, a walk and two strikeouts in the Dodgers' 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. His five-game home run streak equals six other players in Dodgers history, most recently Max Muncy in 2019. ---------- Video: "Yamahoko" parade in Kyoto's Gion Festival
The Mainichi
13 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Yoroku: Putting in two cents on nuclear weapons suggestions after Japan election
"May I put in my two cents?" A social media post that opens like this, responding to a controversial suggestion Japan should go nuclear has garnered attention. The post was made by Kazufumi Onishi, mayor of the city of Kumamoto in southwest Japan. Onishi tweeted on July 21, the day after the House of Councillors election, "An era has been ushered in where someone claiming 'Japan should arm itself with nuclear weapons' has been elected to the Diet. But let me clearly say this: Japan cannot possess nuclear arms either in legal, practical or humanitarian terms." He also explained the basis for his arguments. Saya, who won in the upper house poll as a newcomer backed by the minor opposition party Sanseito, spoke on Japan's security policy during the campaign period, arguing, "Nuclear armament is one of the most inexpensive and effective measures to strengthen security." Mayor Onishi is inherently conservative. When U.S. President Donald Trump justified the atomic bombings of Japanese cities during World War II, Onishi called on the Japanese government to take a resolute action as the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks. The mayor has since continued to post his comments by responding to criticism and questions regarding his July 21 post. He explained why nuclear armament is not "inexpensive" and refuted claims that Ukraine was invaded because it renounced nuclear armament. He also touched on security initiatives for non-nuclear nations. While Saya's remarks sparked a widespread backlash and repercussions, there appears to be a tendency online and elsewhere for people's sense of insecurity about the global situation and the Japan-U.S. alliance to boost nuclear armament theories. Onishi's posts display his attempts to deepen discussions, not just shun others' opinions. He also urged, "Please do not hesitate to express your complaints and demands about (the city's) politics." Social media is prone to emotional arguments and rejection of dialogue. His posts can be regarded as challenging this reality.
