Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Japan's Ruling Coalition Loses Majority in Upper House, Threatening Prime Minister's Premiership

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has suffered a significant loss, securing only 39 seats in the July 20 election for the upper house of Japan's parliament, the House of Councillors. This loss leaves the LDP three seats short of the 50 required to maintain its majority, as populist opposition parties made dramatic gains. The LDP's minority status in both the upper and lower houses of the Diet marks a historic turning point, as the party has dominated Japanese politics for 70 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The LDP secured 39 seats in the upper house election, while its minor coalition partner, the Komeito Party, won only 8 seats, leaving them three seats short of a majority.
  • The LDP is now facing minority status in both the upper and lower houses of the Diet, a historic first in the party's 70-year history.
  • The centre-right Democratic Party for the People (DPFP) and the far-right Sanseito party made dramatic gains, winning 17 and 14 seats respectively.
  • Young Japanese voters were instrumental in shifting their support to the populist right, with exit polls showing they voted in greater numbers for the two right-wing parties.
  • The leaders of the two right-wing parties, Yuichiro Tamaki and Sohei Kamiya, effectively used social media to exploit electoral discontent and push their populist messages.
  • Sanseito has been criticized for its anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, xenophobia, and plans to end gender equality and revert to an imperial form of government.
  • The success of the two right-wing parties threatens to transform Japanese politics, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to cooperate effectively in the Diet with other parties.
  • The increased political uncertainty may raise concerns about Japan's ability to continue its strategic reorientation in the region.

Statistics:

  • The number of foreign-born residents in Japan has risen to 3.8 million to meet the demands of the shrinking labour force.
  • Foreign-born residents comprise about 3% of Japan's population.
  • The LDP has seen a decline in its post-war dominance of Japanese politics, with the party's approval rating hitting a record low 23%.
  • The consumption tax rate in Japan is set to increase, and the party wants to boost subsidies to support families and farmers.

Sources:

  • The Conversation - By Craig Mark, Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University - Young Japanese voters embrace right-wing populist parties, leaving the prime minister on the brink

*

https://theconversation.com/young-japanese-voters-embrace-right-wing-populist-parties-leaving-the-prime-minister-on-the-brink-261673

Read more