Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito failed to retain their majority in the July 20ᵗʰ upper house election, winning 47 seats when they needed at least 50 to hold the chamber; the setback leaves Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba heading a coalition that is now a minority in both houses of the National Diet after losing the lower house last October. Ishiba called the result “a tough situation” and said he would stay on to avoid a political vacuum as the government confronts rising prices, U.S. tariff pressure, and internal calls for a leadership change.