Japanese voters are casting their ballots in a tightly contested upper house election, seen as a test of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s popularity and his ruling coalition’s grip on power. The election is taking place against a backdrop of rising prices, immigration concerns, and potential trade disruptions with the United States.
Opinion polls suggest Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and coalition partner Komeito may fall short of the 50 seats needed to retain control of the 248-seat upper house of parliament. A poor performance would deepen uncertainty over Ishiba’s fate and Japan’s political stability, potentially leading to calls for his resignation or a new coalition partner.
Voters are expressing concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly the staple food of rice, which has seen a significant price increase. Immigration policies are also a key issue, with some voters voicing opposition to current policies.
Yu Nagai, a 25-year-old student, voted for the right-wing Sanseito party, which promises to curb immigration and prioritize Japanese interests. “I am attending graduate school, but there are no Japanese [people] around me. All of them are foreigners,” Nagai said. “When I look at the way compensation and money are spent on foreigners, I think that Japanese people are a bit disrespected.”
In contrast, other voters are concerned about escalating xenophobia. Yuko Tsuji, a 43-year-old consultant, supports the LDP for stability and unity and voted “for candidates who won’t fuel division.” “If the ruling party doesn’t govern properly, the conservative base will drift toward extremes. So I voted with the hope that the ruling party would tighten things up,” she said.
The election outcome may also impact Japan’s trade talks with the United States. Ishiba’s government is seeking to secure a reprieve from US President Donald Trump’s proposed 25 percent tariffs before an August 1 deadline. A poor performance by the LDP could shake investor confidence in Japan’s economy and disrupt critical trade talks.
Self-employed Daiichi Nasu, 57, hopes for a change towards a more inclusive and diverse society, with more open immigration and gender policies. “That’s why I voted for the CDPJ,” he said, referring to the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. “I want to see progress on those fronts.”
The election outcome will likely have significant implications for Japan’s political stability and economic future. Ishiba’s centre-right LDP has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955, but the party’s grip on power is being challenged by smaller opposition parties pushing for tax cuts and increased public spending.