Key Facts

• The LDP coalition lost its majority, holding only 214 of the 233 required seats.
• Voter dissatisfaction stems from years of stagnant wages and rising costs.
• The loss is the LDP’s worst electoral result since 2009.
• Ishiba, newly appointed, is under pressure to resign and could become Japan’s shortest-serving leader.
• Market analysts expect heightened volatility due to the political uncertainty.
• The CDPJ gained seats, focusing on the LDP’s recent slush-fund scandal.
• Turnout was low (53.8%), with young voters increasingly disillusioned by mainstream politics.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faced a significant setback in today’s snap election, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time in 15 years. Far worse than anticipated, this outcome has thrust the country into political turmoil. The election, called by new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba amid a slush-fund scandal, was an attempt to secure public support but resulted in voter backlash over stagnant wages and rising living costs. As a result, the LDP will struggle to govern, facing possible policy gridlock and pressure for Ishiba’s resignation. Economic analysts caution that this upheaval could lead to market volatility and complicate Japan’s reform agenda. The main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), capitalized on public discontent, securing significant gains.