In Japan, the ruling LDP party has failed to win an absolute majority in parliamentary elections for the first time since 2009, according to forecasts. It was still unclear on Sunday whether the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its previous coalition partner Komeito would win a government majority, according to forecasts by television channel NHK based on post-election surveys.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for new elections shortly after taking office in early October to secure support for his reform path. The coalition of the LDP and the center-right Komeito party had a comfortable majority of 288 seats in the previous parliament. If the coalition does not achieve the required majority of 233 seats, it would be a major setback for Japan’s LDP, which has governed almost continuously since 1955.
Downward trend due to high inflation and corruption scandal
The party’s popularity has suffered from high inflation and, most recently, a corruption scandal that contributed to the resignation of Ishiba’s predecessor, Fumio Kishida.
LDP wants to increase the birth rate
Ishiba, 67, has said he will revive economically weaker regions and counter Japan’s shrinking population with family-friendly measures such as flexible working hours. He also spoke in favor of a regional military alliance along the lines of NATO, but also said this “will not happen overnight.”
Resignation of the head of government possible
Ishiba has set itself the goal of achieving the 233 seats needed for a majority. If he does not do this, his position in the LDP would be in jeopardy. He would then have to find other coalition partners or lead a minority government. Local media speculated that Ishiba might even resign immediately to take responsibility. This would make him Japan’s head of government with the shortest term in office since the end of World War II.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
