Japan’s ruling bloc led by the Liberal Democratic party is in danger of losing its majority in both houses of parliament for the first time in 15 years as a backlash led by first-time voters, inflation-strained households and savvy social media campaigners hits traditional politics.
While the election will be fought over just half the seats in parliament’s less influential upper house, prime minister Shigeru Ishiba’s political future is at stake, analysts say.
A loss of a majority for the ruling coalition would put pressure on Ishiba — even prompting calls for his resignation — and prove a distraction from trade talks with the US and a tariff threat described by the prime minister as a “national crisis”.