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Japan’s Ruling Coalition Falls into Minority After Upper House Defeat

Shigeru Ishiba must secure opposition support to pass key measures before a 25 percent U.S. tariff hits on August 1.

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

  • Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and its Komeito partner won only 47 of 125 contested seats, leaving them three seats shy of a majority in the 248-member upper chamber.
  • Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced he will remain in office to oversee urgent policy work despite growing dissent from senior party figures.
  • The far-right Sanseito party surged from one seat to 14, boosting nationalist populist voices in parliament.
  • The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party is considering a no-confidence motion to force a leadership change in the minority government.
  • The loss heightens uncertainty in U.S.-Japan trade negotiations, with President Trump poised to impose 25 percent tariffs on Japanese exports if no deal is reached by August 1.