World Desk 

Japanese voters headed to the polls Sunday to elect members to the country’s upper house of parliament, in a high-stakes election that could deal a blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his ruling coalition, heightening political uncertainty.

The vote will determine half of the 248 seats in the upper house — the less powerful of the two chambers in Japan’s legislature. Preliminary results are expected later Sunday.

Prime Minister Ishiba has set a modest goal: securing a simple majority of 125 seats. His Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and junior coalition partner Komeito, which already hold 75 seats, need to win 50 more. This target marks a sharp drop from the 141 seats the coalition held before the election, and opinion polls suggest significant losses are likely.

A poor outcome wouldn't immediately unseat Ishiba, as the upper house lacks the authority to pass a no-confidence motion. However, a weak showing could intensify internal pressure within the LDP for him to resign or seek new political alliances.

Key issues driving voter discontent include surging living costs, stagnant wages, and rising social security burdens. Tensions over immigration and foreign visitors have also become prominent, with the rise of a right-wing populist party campaigning on stricter anti-foreigner measures.

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Ishiba's government, already weakened by scandals and losses in the October lower house election, has struggled to push through economic relief measures. Public frustration has only deepened with slow responses to inflation and falling incomes.

Adding to the pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Japan over stalled trade talks and lackluster imports of American goods, with a new 25% tariff looming from August 1.

While Ishiba has avoided major policy shifts ahead of the vote, political gridlock is likely to continue even after the election, with a fragmented opposition and a weakened government.

Among the most vocal challengers is the populist Sanseito party, which promotes an anti-globalist, anti-vaccine, and ultra-nationalist agenda, including stricter immigration policies and traditional gender roles. Meanwhile, centrist and left-leaning parties like the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) have gained support but remain divided.

Human rights groups have raised concerns over rising xenophobic rhetoric in the campaign and online.

Voters remain torn between maintaining stability and pursuing change. Yuko Tsuji, 43, said she voted for LDP candidates to ensure unity and prevent political fragmentation. “If the ruling party fails to lead, it may push conservatives to extremes,” she said.

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On the other hand, Daiichi Nasu, a 57-year-old voter, voiced support for the CDPJ in hopes of fostering a more inclusive society, supporting progressive immigration and gender equality policies. “I want to see progress,” he said.

Source: Agency