Democratic Liberal Party (PLD), which governs the country since 1955, and its ally Komeito had to win 50 of the 125 chairs in dispute last Sunday (20), but only got 47
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday that he will remain in office despite the defeat of his senate election coalition in which he lost the majority. The Democratic Liberal Party (PLD), which governs the Almost uninterrupted since 1955, and his ally Komeito had to win 50 of the 125 chairs in dispute on Sunday, but only got 47. The upper camera has 248 senators. With the result, PLD and Komeito now have 122 chairs and are in minority in the two chambers of Parliament.
The voters, angry with inflation, opted for other parties, in particular Sanseito, with their message of “Japan in the first place” that resembles the agenda of the president of the United States, . “I think (PLD) should have lost even more,” Kazuyo Nanasawa, 25, told AFP, who voted for a small conservative party. Nanasawa stated that Ishiba should resign. The defeat at the polls came a few months after Ishiba coalition was in minority in the House of Representatives, which has more powers, in an election that recorded the worst result for the PLD in 15 years.
Changes in the external environment
When asked Sunday night if he intended to stay in office, Ishiba replied “yes”. “Changes in the external environment, such as the international situation or natural disasters, cannot expect the political situation to improve,” Ishiba said on Monday at a news conference. “For this reason, although I am very aware of our serious responsibility for the electoral results, (…) I believe that I must fulfill my responsibility as the party with the most votes and the country’s population, listening carefully and sincerely the voices of the people,” he said.
The head of government must inform his party leaders of the intention to remain in power, according to Jiji Press. Ishiba is assisted by the fact that opposition is fragmented and has little possibilities to form an alternative government, explains Hidehiro Yamamoto, professor of sociology and politics at the University of Tsukuba. For the analyst, Ishiba is likely to continue to seek opposition support to pass laws on a case by case basis.
Takeshi Nemoto, a 80 -year -old PLD voter, considered that a dispute for a new leader would be “lost battle” for the party and would further complicate tariff negotiations with US President Donald Trump’s government. Japan, who spent years with stagnant or falling prices, began to feel inflation after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Rice prices in particular doubled, which affected the budget of many families. The situation became even more complicated due to the threat of an American tariff of 25% if an agreement with Washington is not reached until August 1. The Japanese automotive industry, responsible for 8% of jobs in the country, already faces an American tariff of 25%.
*With information from AFP
