Political situation in Japan

Analysis: Global right-wing wave may have reached Japan

The fact that the conservative Liberal Democrats (LDP), which dominated Japanese politics for 70 years, lost both the upper and lower houses after Sunday's election indicates a generational shift. Martin Fackler writes for the New York Times.

Young voters are being appealed to by newer right-wing parties – such as the Democratic People's Party and the more extreme Sanseito – and their promises to lower taxes, boost weak wage growth and reduce the number of foreign workers, he continues.

"Their successes have led many in Japan to wonder whether the global wave of anti-establishment parties on the right flank has now taken hold there as well."

The election result was a clear victory for conservatism – except for the LDP, writes Michael MacArthur Bosack for the Japan Times.

It is clear that a political shift has taken place in Japan, and that the parties that adapt to the new rules of the game the fastest will be the winners, he continues:

"For both the LDP and its rivals, the era of predictable elections is over."

Japan's prime minister will not resign despite election defeat

Japan's ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house in Sunday's election. But despite that, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to remain in office, writes the BBC.

- We are in extremely critical tariff negotiations with the United States. We must never destroy these negotiations, Ishiba says at a press conference.

Normally, a prime minister resigns if the majority is lost. Ishiba's political situation is especially difficult because his coalition previously did not have a majority in the lower house. Not controlling either chamber of parliament increases political instability in the country, writes the AP.