Islamabad, July 21, 2025: Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said he will not step down, even though his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its ally Komeito have lost their majority in the upper house of parliament at Sunday’s election 2025.
This election was a hard blow to Ishiba’s leadership. Many local media reports suggested that these results might bring his short premiership to an end. However, when asked if he would remain as prime minister and party leader, Ishiba replied, “That’s right.”
Speaking at LDP’s headquarters in Tokyo while votes were still being counted, Ishiba said he accepts “harsh result” but that his focus is on trade negotiations as Japan is currently in the middle of serious tariff talks with the United States and these must not be disrupted.
According to exit polls, Ishiba coalition won about 47 of the 125 seats whereas, they needed at least 50 to retain a majority and keep control. The right-wing Sanseito party made strong gains, securing 14 seats on top of its one existing seat.
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Hidehiro Yamamoto, a professor at the University of Tsukuba said Ishiba could be replaced however, it is unclear who would take over.
The LDP has ruled Japan almost non-stop since 1955, though leadership changes often. Ishiba took office in September and quickly called elections, but the gamble didn’t pay off.
Sanseito capitalised on voter frustration over inflation, tough immigration rules, policies on globalism, vaccines and radical gender.
