Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is projected to fall short of a single-party majority after a close-run snap election, according to exit polls. The LDP is expected to secure between 153 and 219 lower house seats, as reported by broadcaster NHK. The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) is anticipated to win between 128 and 191 seats. With a party needing 233 seats to control the house, known as the Diet, the LDP will likely have to form a coalition to remain in power. The party was previously in a coalition with the smaller Komeito party, but projections indicate that their combined vote share may still not reach a majority, leading to uncertainty about the governance of the world’s fourth-largest economy. The election was called by the LDP’s new leader Shigeru Ishiba just three days after he was chosen as the new leader, before being officially sworn in as the prime minister. This comes after a turbulent period for the LDP, marked by a series of scandals, widespread voter apathy, and record-low approval ratings. Despite the challenges faced by the LDP, opposition parties have failed to unite or convince voters that they are a viable alternative to govern. The main opposition party had an approval rating of only 6.6% before parliament was dissolved. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to make decisions when choosing between parties, and I believe people are losing interest,” said Miyuki Fujisaki, a long-time LDP supporter working in the care-home sector, in an interview with the BBC before the polls opened. Despite acknowledging the alleged corruption within the LDP, Fujisaki noted that the opposition also lacks a clear vision for the future. “They criticize a lot, but their objectives are not at all clear,” the 66-year-old added. Despite the prevailing apathy, politics in Japan has been rapidly evolving in recent months. Shigeru Ishiba assumed office as prime minister following his election by the ruling party after his predecessor Fumio Kishida unexpectedly stepped down in August. The decision to call for the election coincided with the LDP’s efforts to restore its tarnished reputation among the public. Ishiba, a seasoned politician and former defense minister, has described the election as the “people’s verdict.” The ruling party’s image has been marred by a series of scandals, including its ties with the controversial Unification Church and a political funding corruption scandal. Prosecutors in Japan have been investigating numerous LDP lawmakers accused of embezzling funds from political fundraising events, which led to the dissolution of influential factions within the party. “The state of the ruling party is deplorable,” remarked Michiko Hamada, who attended an opposition campaign rally in Urawa station. “It is tax evasion, and it is unforgivable.” Hamada expressed her concern about the high prices in Japan, where wages have remained stagnant for three decades while prices have surged at the fastest rate in nearly 50 years over the last two years. The recent price hikes on various food products and daily necessities have made it challenging for people like Chie Shimizu, a pensioner who now has to work part-time to make ends meet. “Our hourly wage has slightly increased, but it doesn’t keep up with the rising prices,” Shimizu explained while buying food at Urawa station. “I come to places like this to find affordable and good quality items because everything in regular stores is expensive.”
