Japan’s ruling coalition loses majority in lower house, creating political uncertainty

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition lost a majority in the 465-seat lower house in a key parliamentary election on Sunday (October 27, 2024), a punishment by voters' outrage over the governing party's extensive financial scandals.

Mr. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party remains the top party in Japan's parliament, and a change of government is not expected. But the results create political uncertainty.

Falling short of a majority makes it difficult for Ishiba to get his party's policies through parliament, and he may need to find a third coalition partner. The LDP's coalition retains a majority in the less powerful upper house.