Japan's ruling coalition faces a monumental defeat in the recent national Japanese elections where the opposition gains ground. The event poses a blow to new PM Ishiba as his Liberal Democratic Party suffers its worst defeat since 2009.
After Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost much of its parliamentary majority stake at Saturday's national elections, uncertainties rose about the next government's shape and the future outlook of Japan's economy. The LDP, which had ruled Japan for almost all its post-war history, alongside junior coalition partner Komeito, took 215 seats in the lower parliamentary house. That was a score below the 279 seats the LDP previously held.
Keiichi Ishii, who emerged as the new leader of Komeito, a long-term coalition partner of the LDP's long-term coalition party lost in his district last month. Speaking to TV Tokyo, Ishiba admits, "This election has been very tough for us."
The biggest election victories went to the main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ). The CDPJ took 148 seats, scores above the previous 98. Observers claim the swing occurred as voters moved to punish the LDP over inflation and a funding scandal.
What's Next After the Japan Elections?
Experts claim the outcome may force parties into fractious power-sharing deals to rule, potentially brewing political instability amidst growing economic and security challenges in the East Asian nation. Meanwhile, CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda claims that this is only "the beginning," as he promises to work with another opposition party to achieve a change of government.
In September, Ishiba thumped eight other candidates to become head of the conservative LDP, which has ruled Japan virtually uninterrupted for about 70 years. Ishiba replaced Fumio Kishida, who faced widespread discontent over inflation and a slush fund scandal.
The LDP had held an outright majority since returning to power in 2012 following a brief spell of opposition rule. It also briefly lost power in 1993, when seven opposition parties formed a government that ruled for less than twelve months.
Shortly after the election, Ishiba called the snap election, hoping to win a public mandate for his premiership. Despite promising voters that the LDP would "start fresh as a fair, just, and sincere party," at a rally on Saturday, Ishiba failed to convince enough voters.
Other opposition parties like the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) or the Japan Innovation Party, could now prove instrumental to forming a government. Both parties hold over 27 seats each, regardless of the difference in policies. Japan, the world's third-largest economy, held its elections nine days before voters in the US - its closest ally - cast votes in another fiercely contested ballot.
Closing Notes
Japan's ruling party loses grip on majority hold in parliament after Saturday's elections. The ruling LDP holds 215 seats, down from 279, while the main opposition party, CDPJ, took 148 seats, above the previous 98. Observers fear the results could spiral into political instability amid economic uncertainty and security challenges in the East-Asian nation.