LDP members are discontent with Ishiba's pledge to stay in office
The LDP and its coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the house, securing just 47 of the seats up for grabs. That was below the 50 they needed to maintain a majority.
It's the first time in the LDP's 70-year history for it to lead a coalition that does not control either house.
Ishiba said at a news conference on Monday that the LDP must fulfill its responsibility as the leading party in the Upper House by preventing a drag on national politics.
He also said his side will try to achieve a consensus with opposition parties on a per-policy basis.
The prime minister is facing mounting pressure from inside his own party. Upper House lawmaker Aoyama Shigeharu called for Ishiba to resign, saying it's impossible to leave the job of negotiating tariffs with the US to a lame-duck government. One of the party's prefectural chapters decided that it would demand Ishiba step down as party leader.
Meanwhile, Former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki said he wants Ishiba to take responsibility as head of the party. But he warned that party members should refrain from pulling each other down. He said everything hinges on whether the LDP will be able to work toward rebuilding itself.
LDP executives plan to convene a meeting of its member lawmakers from both chambers of the Diet next week. They want to gain support for Ishiba staying in office by citing the ongoing tariff negotiations with the US.
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