Ishiba to Stay Despite Coalition's Expected Election Loss

Shigeru Ishiba, who also serves as the president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), addressed the press at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on July 20, 2025. Public broadcaster NHK reported that the coalition led by the LDP is poised to lose its majority in the House of Councillors following the upcoming Sunday election.

NHK's projections indicate that the coalition, comprised of the LDP and Komeito, will likely fall short of the 125 seats required for a majority in the 248-seat upper house of parliament. Elections for the House of Councillors occur every three years, with half of the seats being contested each time. This election saw 125 seats, including one to fill a vacancy, up for grabs.

The main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, is anticipated to increase its seat count. The Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito are also expected to make substantial gains, according to NHK.

Despite the anticipated defeat, Prime Minister Ishiba has stated his intention to remain in office. He emphasized the LDP's responsibility as the ruling party. Ishiba told NHK that his party has secured enough seats to remain the leading party in the upper house and that he is committed to fulfilling campaign promises, such as wage increases to address rising prices.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday. Major opposition parties have expressed reservations about assisting the ruling bloc by forming an expanded coalition. In the October 2024 general election, the ruling coalition already lost its majority in the more influential House of Representatives, leading Ishiba to form Japan's first minority government in over thirty years.