Will Japan’s minority government be able to push ahead with domestic reforms, manage regional security?

PM Ishiba will need to work closely with opposition parties to maintain stability. Instability in Japan, coupled with the rise of competing regional powers, could leave the country in a vulnerable position.
Gurjit Singh

Japan is grappling with weak government leadership. PM Shigeru Ishiba’s rise has been marred by internal struggles within his Liberal Democratic party (LDP) and a lack of political momentum.

For the first time in three decades, the country faces a minority government. The ruling coalition of the LDP and Komeito failed to secure a majority in the House of Representatives elections on October 27. The LDP lost 68 seats, and Komeito lost eight, while the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) increased its strength to 148 seats. The surprise package of the election was the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP) which surged from seven to 28 seats. Despite gains, the opposition parties were unable to form a cohesive alliance to challenge Ishiba. This fragmentation, combined with ideological differences, prevented the opposition from unseating him.