Official announcements from the Japanese government or major news outlets like NHK or Reuters

Japan's Ruling Coalition Loses Majority for First Time Since 2009, NHK Projects

Oct 27, 2024, 03:49 PM

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito have lost their majority in the lower house following Sunday's general election, according to exit polls and early projections by NHK public broadcaster. This marks the first time since 2009 that the dominant conservative parties have fallen short of a parliamentary majority, securing only 215 seats. The setback deals a significant blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, raising uncertainty over the future of his government and the outlook for the world's fourth-largest economy. Voters appear to have delivered an emphatic rejection of the status quo, punishing the ruling coalition over financial scandals and public discontent with a stagnant economy. The opposition parties have secured more than half the seats, leaving the election outcome in balance and the political landscape uncertain.