Shigeru Ishiba vows to stay on as Japanese PM after election setback
Exit polls and early returns show the alliance between Mr Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito on course for the worst result since it was founded in 1999.
That comes on top of its worst showing in 15 years in October's lower house election, a vote that has left Mr Ishiba's grip on power vulnerable to no-confidence motions and calls from within his own party for leadership change.
Speaking two hours after polls closed to public broadcaster NHK, Mr Ishiba said he "solemnly" accepted the "harsh result".
"It's a difficult situation, and we have to take it very humbly and seriously," he said.
Asked whether he intended to stay on as prime minister and party leader, he said "that's right".
The result also comes as Japan, the world's fourth-largest economy, faces a deadline of August 1 to strike a trade deal with the United States or face punishing tariffs in its largest export market.
"We are engaged in extremely critical tariff negotiations with the United States … we must never ruin these negotiations," Mr Ishiba told TV Tokyo later on Sunday night.
"It is only natural to devote our complete dedication and energy to realising our national interests."
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party is projected to win 18 to 30 seats, from 22 held previously, NHK's exit poll showed.
The far-right Sanseito party, birthed on YouTube a few years ago, has been the surprise package with its "Japanese First" campaign and warnings about a "silent invasion" of foreigners.
It is forecast to win 10-15 seats in the chamber, up from one held previously, yet it holds only three seats in the lower house.
Sanseito, which first emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, has dragged once-fringe political rhetoric into the mainstream and gained wider support among frustrated voters.
It remains to be seen whether the party can follow the path of other far-right parties with which it has drawn comparisons, such as Germany's AFD and Reform UK.
Japan's oppositional parties advocating for tax cuts and welfare spending have struck a chord with voters, the exit polls showed.
Rising consumer prices — particularly a jump in the cost of rice — have sowed frustration at the government's response.
Reuters
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