Japan’s ruling coalition suffers historic setback, losing majority in parliament

TOKYO: Japan's ruling coalition suffered a historic setback on Sunday, losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 2009.

Snap elections were held 27 days after the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito elected Ishiba Shigeru as Japan's 102nd Prime Minister, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

Ishiba acknowledged that the voting results “indicate a difficult situation for his party.”

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is likely to make substantial gains. If realized, this outcome could mark a notable shift in Japanese politics, potentially ending the LDP's unbroken dominance in parliament since 2009.

A party or coalition needs 233 seats for a simple majority in the 465-member House of Representatives to form government.

More than 45,000 polling stations were set up nationwide for the approximately 105 million eligible voters.

However, voter turnout is expected to be around 53%, about 2.8% lower than the previous election.

Over 1,300 candidates are competing for the 465 seats, including 289 in single-seat constituencies and 176 under proportional representation.

Ishiba, who took office on Oct. 1, had pledged to address inflation and bolster Japan’s defense capabilities. However, the LDP faced challenges amid public scrutiny over recent funding scandals.

Related World News

At least 9 killed in new Israeli airstrike on UN-run school in Gaza City

GAZA: At least nine people were killed in another Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school sheltering displaced civilians west of Gaza City on Sunday, a medical source said. Twenty other people were injured in the attack that targeted Asma School, run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugee....

At least 35 injured as truck ramms into crowd in central Israel

TEL AVIV: At least 35 people were injured as a truck rammed into a bus stand in central Israel on Sunday, according to reports. Reports said , the incident occurred at the Ramat Hasharon bus station near Tel Aviv.

Israeli warplanes bombard southern Beirut

Tehran,FM News – Israel’s warplanes have once again targeted southern Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. According to reports, the Israeli warplanes bombed the southern suburbs of Beirut five times. Hadath neighborhood and Borj El Brajneh in the south of Beirut were reportedly targete....

Iran reserves inherent right to respond to Israeli aggression : Araghchi

New York: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the United Nations to condemn the Israeli attacks on Iran, warning that his country reserves its inherent right to respond legally and legitimately to the Israeli aggression at the appropriate time. Araghchi, in identical letters t....

Iran would retaliate fearlessly against any act of folly targeting their country: President

President Masoud Pezeshkian asserts that the Iranian nation would retaliate fearlessly and wisely against any act of folly targeting their country. “Iran’s enemies should know that the warrior nation stands fearlessly in defense of its soil and responds to any act of folly with pru....