Japan, Ishiba
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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s future was unclear today after his coalition appeared to have disastrously lost its upper house majority in elections that saw strong gains by a right-wing populist party.
Japanese voters angry at inflation turned to other parties, notably the "Japanese first" Sanseito, which made strong gains with its "anti-globalist" drive reminiscent of US President Donald Trump's agenda.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remains opposed to a consumption tax cut, but opposition parties are expected to intensify calls for such measures after gaining more seats in Sunday's House of Councillors election.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces a critical test in Sunday’s upper house election. A loss could deepen political instability as his government struggles with rising prices, U.S. tariffs and voter dissatisfaction.
By Tim Kelly TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a tightly contested upper house election that could unleash political turmoil, with rising prices and immigration concerns threatening to weaken Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power.