Core Points - The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito failed to secure a majority in the recent Japanese Senate elections, marking the first time since the LDP's establishment in 1955 that it has lost majority seats in both houses simultaneously [1][3] - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated he would continue to serve despite the coalition's losses, indicating a commitment to his role [1][6] - Analysts attribute the coalition's defeat to public dissatisfaction with rising prices, ineffective policy responses, and an aging image of traditional parties, revealing deeper crises in policy response and public communication [3][4] Election Results - The ruling coalition obtained a total of 47 seats, falling short of the 50-seat majority target [3] - The coalition's loss in the Senate follows a previous failure to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, officially transitioning to a minority government [3] Public Sentiment - Ishiba's cabinet support rate has dropped to 20.8%, the lowest since he took office, with over 40% of respondents citing a lack of leadership and policy failures as reasons for their discontent [4][6] - The decline in real wages, which fell by 2.9% year-on-year, has significantly reduced household purchasing power, leading to increased public frustration [3] Political Landscape - The absence of a mandatory re-election process for the Prime Minister in the Senate allows Ishiba to remain in power despite the losses [7] - The fragmented opposition parties are unlikely to unite quickly to propose a no-confidence motion against Ishiba, allowing him to potentially stay in office for the short term [7] Trade Negotiations - The ongoing U.S.-Japan trade negotiations are critical, with U.S. President Trump pressuring Japan for potential tariffs, which complicates the political situation for Ishiba [9] - Analysts express concerns about Japan's bargaining power being weakened due to the coalition's diminished status, complicating negotiations on tariffs in key sectors like agriculture and automobiles [9][10] Future Challenges - The ruling coalition will face significant challenges in the upcoming extraordinary Diet session, where it must secure support for the 2025 supplementary budget addressing price measures and U.S. tariff responses [10]