The Japanese ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has suffered a significant defeat in the Upper House elections. Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its smaller partner Komeito lost a considerable number of seats and no longer have a majority.
Ishiba’s coalition already lost its majority in the more powerful Lower House of Parliament in October and has since formed a minority government.
The loss of control over the Upper House further weakens Ishiba’s grip on power. He spoke of a “tough” result, writes news agency Reuters.
The prime minister may now come under pressure within his party as leader, but says he wants to stay on. He pointed to the ongoing, “extremely critical” trade negotiations with the United States, the deadline for which is approaching on August 1.
“We must not mess up these negotiations. It is only natural to devote our full commitment and energy to realizing our national interests,” he told TV Tokyo.
Discontent over growing number of migrants
The economic powerhouse Japan risks further political instability. According to opinion polls, the coalition’s election defeat is due to dissatisfaction with rising prices and immigration policy.
The rapidly aging Japanese society had a record 3.8 million foreign-born residents last year. Although that is only 3 percent of the total population, there has been much discontent about it. Small right-wing populist parties such as Sanseito benefit from this. Sanseito’s focus on immigration has shifted Japanese politics significantly to the right.
Sanseito originated on YouTube during the corona pandemic and spread conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a clique of global elites. With the slogan ‘Japan First’, which resembles the America First of US President Donald Trump, the party has broken through in recent years.