Overview

• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s LDP–Komeito alliance won 47 of the 125 seats contested, three short of the 50 needed to hold the Upper House majority
• Combined with earlier losses in the Lower House, the government now operates as a minority in both chambers for the first time since World War II
• Right-wing Sanseito surged from two to 14 seats by campaigning on anti-immigration and nationalist policies
• Voter frustration over rising living costs and inflation drove many to abandon the long-governing coalition
• With 25% U.S. tariffs looming in August, Ishiba’s coalition must secure opposition support to pass key economic and trade legislation