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Japan’s LDP-Komeito Coalition Loses Majority in Both Houses

Prime Minister Ishiba vows to stay on through U.S. tariff talks despite growing dissent within his party.

Shigeru Ishiba on Monday vowed to stay in his role as Japan's Prime Minister, despite disappointing election results.
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Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a press conference at the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Tokyo on July 21, 2025, the day after the prime minister's coalition lost its upper house majority.
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Overview

  • The coalition secured only 47 of 125 contested upper house seats on July 20, falling three short of the 50 needed to retain a majority.
  • This outcome leaves the LDP and its partner Komeito governing as a minority in both the 465-member lower house and the 248-seat upper house for the first time since 1955.
  • Right-wing populist Sanseito increased its upper house representation from one to 14 seats, positioning itself as a key swing faction.
  • Some senior LDP figures, including former Prime Minister Taro Aso, have publicly questioned Ishiba’s leadership and urged a change at the top.
  • Without a clear majority, Ishiba’s government must broker support for each bill and budget on an issue-by-issue basis, complicating efforts to address inflation and impending U.S. tariffs.