Japan upper house election: Ishiba accepts ‘harsh result’, says he will stay on as PM
The ruling LDP-led coalition failed to secure a majority in the upper house, with exit polls projecting it had only won 46 seats
Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already have to reach the goal. With two more seats to be decided, the coalition had only 46 seats.
While the ballot does not directly determine whether Ishiba’s shaky minority government falls, it heaps pressure on the embattled leader who also lost control of the more-powerful lower house in October.
The right-wing populist party Sanseito was projected to have made strong gains, winning between 10 and 22 seats, adding to the two it already holds in the chamber.
Speaking two hours after polls closed to public broadcaster NHK, Ishiba said he “solemnly” accepted the “harsh result”.
“It’s a tough situation. I take it humbly and sincerely,” he said. He said the poor showing was because his government’s measures to combat price increases have yet to reach many people.
Ishiba showed his determination to stay on to tackle economic and security challenges, saying: “I will fulfil my responsibility as head of the No 1 party and work for the country.”