Japan ruling coalition loses parliamentary majority in shock defeat

Japans Prime Minister and president of the Liberal Democratic Party LDP Shigeru Ishiba speaks to the media regarding the lower house election at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo Oct 27 2024 Kyodo NewsAP-Yonhap — Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to the media regarding the lower house election at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 27, 2024. Kyodo News/AP-Yonhap

SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Japan's ruling coalition suffered a major setback, losing its majority in the lower house of parliament, as a widening political funding scandal eroded voter confidence in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's leadership.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito secured 215 seats, fewer than the 233 seats required for a majority in the 465-seat House of Representatives in Sunday's election, according to the national broadcaster NHK.

"We were far from gaining the public's understanding," Ishiba said at a press conference, acknowledging the impact of the slush funds scandal that has plagued his party since late 2023.

The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) made significant gains, winning more than 140 seats, up from 98, while the Democratic Party for the People saw its representation increase more than fourfold from seven seats.

Voter turnout was about 54 percent, among the lowest in post-war Japan, according to Kyodo News, while the election produced a record 55 female lawmakers in the lower chamber.

AJP

Japan ruling coalition loses parliamentary majority in shock defeat

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