Japan Komeito chief: will maintain coalition with LDP, Kyodo

Japan Komeito chief: will maintain coalition with LDP, Kyodo

In the wake of Japan's upper house election, scheduled for Sunday, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, face significant challenges. The ruling coalition is likely to lose its majority in the upper house, as indicated by exit polls [1]. This development adds pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, whose minority government is already under strain following the LDP's poor showing in the October lower house election [1].

Komeito Chief Representative Tetsuo Saito has publicly stated that his party will maintain its coalition with the LDP, despite the election's potential outcome. Saito's commitment comes amidst growing voter frustration over economic issues such as rising inflation, stagnant wages, and soaring rice prices [2]. The LDP and Komeito are forecast to secure between 32 to 51 seats in the 248-seat upper chamber, according to an exit poll by public broadcaster NHK [1].

The election is set to be a pivotal moment for Japan, with issues such as inflation, trade, and immigration dominating the campaign. The LDP's poor performance in the lower house election has left Ishiba vulnerable to no-confidence motions that could topple his administration and trigger a fresh general election [1]. The far-right Sanseito party, campaigning on a "Japanese First" platform, has gained ground, sparking concerns over rising nationalism [2].

While the ballot does not directly determine whether Ishiba's minority government falls, it heaps pressure on the embattled leader. The LDP's economic management, including its handling of the rice crisis and the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States, has been a significant factor in the party's decline [2]. The LDP and Komeito's ability to maintain their coalition and navigate the political instability will be crucial in shaping Japan's economic and foreign policy trajectory.

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/japan-s-ruling-coalition-likely-to-lose-upper-house-majority-exit-poll-125072000519_1.html
[2] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/explainer-what-s-at-stake-in-japan-s-upper-house-elections/3635172