TOKYO, JAPAN – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday vowed to remain in office even after his coalition suffered an election result he called "extremely regrettable," as painful new tariffs from the United States loom.
In Sunday's Upper House election, his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost continuously since 1955, and its partner Komeito were projected to fall three seats short of retaining a majority.
Voters angered by inflation turned to other parties, notably the "Japan First" Sanseito party, which made strong gains with its "anti-globalist" drive, echoing the agenda of populist parties elsewhere.
"I even think (the LDP) should have lost more," Kazuyo Nanasawa, 25, who voted for a small ultra-conservative party, told AFP, adding that Ishiba should resign.
This setback comes only months after Ishiba's coalition was forced into a minority government in the more powerful Lower House, marking the LDP's worst result in 15 years.
However, when asked late Sunday if he intended to remain in office, Ishiba told local media: "That's right."
"Changes in the external environment, such as the international situation or natural disasters, cannot wait for the political situation to improve," Ishiba said at a press conference on Monday.
"For this reason, although I'm acutely aware of our grave responsibility for the election results, in order to not let politics become stagnant, I believe I must fulfill my responsibility as the party with the most votes and to the people of the country, while listening carefully and sincerely to the voices of the local people," he said.
It remains unclear who might step up to replace Ishiba now that the government needs opposition support in both chambers to pass legislation.
LDP supporter Takeshi Nemoto, 80, told AFP that a new leadership contest "would be a losing battle" for the party, further complicating tariff talks with US President Donald Trump's administration.
Detailed Election Results
This election saw 125 of the 248 seats in the Upper House contested. The ruling coalition needed 50 of those seats but local media reported they only won 47, with the LDP winning 39 and Komeito eight. In total, the coalition now holds 122 seats in the Upper House.
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) came in second with 22 seats, followed by the Democratic Party for the People (DPP) with 17. The right-wing Sanseito party won 14 seats.
The Sanseito party wants "stricter rules and limits" on immigration, opposes "radical" gender policies, and wants to rethink decarbonization and vaccines.
The Threat of US Tariffs
After years of stagnant or falling prices, consumers in the world's fourth-largest economy have been squeezed by inflation since the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict. In particular, the price of rice has doubled, straining many household budgets.
The situation is worsened by lingering resentment over an LDP funding scandal and the threat of a 25 percent US tariff set to take effect on August 1 if a trade deal is not reached. Japanese imports are already subject to a 10 percent tariff, while the auto industry, which accounts for 8 percent of jobs, is reeling from a 25 percent levy.
On Monday, tariff envoy Ryosei Akazawa left for his eighth visit to Washington.
"We will achieve an agreement that is beneficial to both Japan and the US, based on the concept of investment rather than tariffs," said Ishiba.
