Editorial

14:30 JST, July 21, 2025

It has been nearly 10 months since the administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba began. Looking back on its haphazard responses during this period, it is only natural that the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito struggled in the latest election.

In the House of Councillors election on Sunday, the LDP and Komeito lost a significant number of seats. This poor performance follows their crushing defeat in last year’s House of Representatives election. There is a possibility that the political landscape will become even more fluid from now on.

In any case, the ruling parties only hold a minority in the lower house. They cannot pass budgets or laws without the cooperation of the opposition. To stabilize politics, it is essential to expand the framework of the coalition. It can be said that the era of the LDP-Komeito administration has come to an end, and it is time to build a new coalition.

“We must be aware of our responsibility as the largest party,” Ishiba said on an NHK program on Sunday night, suggesting his intention to retain his position. Can a prime minister who has struggled in every election really handle the difficult issues facing Japan both domestically and internationally?

The international situation is chaotic. Wars continue in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the free trade system is on the brink of collapse. Amid such a situation, political turmoil in Japan, an economic power, is likely to have a negative impact on the world. It is important to put an end to the turmoil as soon as possible.

In Europe last year, there were a number........

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