Japan's ruling party may lose majority, exit polls suggest
Overview
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faces the loss of its majority in the House of Councillors, according to exit polls released after voting closed in the nation's upper house election on Sunday. The polls suggest that the ruling party may lose 20 seats, resulting in an effective loss of its majority in the House, where half of the seats are up for election.
Impact
If these results hold, it would end the LDP's majority grip on the upper house, which it has held since 1989. The development could lead to more policy gridlock and stalemates between the LDP and opposition parties, who would gain more influence in deciding the country's future.
Background
The election was called after the LDP lost its simple majority in the 2019 election, which led to a stalemate over several key issues, notably the ongoing COVID-19 response.
What's next
The actual election results will be known later on July 20. If the exit polls are accurate, it could mean a loss of momentum for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who took office just nine months ago.
The opposition Citizens' Alliance for Just Politics, a combination of several smaller parties, looks set to gain the most seats, followed by the LDP.
Conclusion
These results would signify a departure from the LDP's nearly continuous dominance of Japanese politics since the end of World War II.
