Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is refusing to step down despite a major setback in Sunday’s election, where his ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper house. Acknowledging the defeat, Ishiba admitted the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) received a harsh judgment from voters. He insists, however, on staying in office to address pressing issues like rising consumer prices and looming US tariffs.
Public opinion is divided — some voters demand his resignation, while others support his continued leadership. Meanwhile, the right-wing populist party Sanseito gained ground, fueled by economic frustration and growing anti-foreigner sentiment, particularly among younger voters. However, others argue Japan needs foreign labor and should be more open to refugees.
Prime Minister Ishiba is positioning himself as the best leader to negotiate a favorable trade deal with the US, as President Trump threatens to impose a 25% tariff on Japanese goods starting August 1. Despite the political turmoil, the Japanese yen remained stable as markets processed the election results.
(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)