LDP Coalition Expected to Lose Majority in Japan

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito are projected to lose their majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time since 2009, primarily due to public outrage over a financial scandal involving undisclosed political funds. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who took office just a month prior, aimed to regain support after his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, failed to address the issue adequately. Pre-election forecasts indicated the LDP would fall short of the 233 seats needed for a majority, with early counts showing them at 181 seats against the main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, which has 134 seats. Ishiba acknowledged the public's dissatisfaction and expressed a willingness to cooperate with other parties if policies align. If the coalition loses its majority, it may complicate the legislative process and weaken Ishiba's ability to govern effectively. The outcomes are expected to have negative implications for Japan's economy, particularly regarding the yen and the stock market.