According to recent surveys by several Japanese institutions, the cabinet led by Prime Minister Taro Kono has seen a continuous decline in support. Japanese experts believe that the ruling coalition formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito Party may struggle to achieve its goal of securing more than half of the Senate seats.
Hiroshi Hamada, a Japanese political economist:
The Liberal Democratic Party has consistently followed the same approach, which has sparked more dissatisfaction. Currently, regarding how to address the issue of rising prices, although the party claims to aim to increase people’s income, it has yet to present a substantial policy. This not only concerns the public but also raises doubts within the party itself. It is believed that under Prime Minister Kono’s leadership, the Liberal Democratic Party may face severe consequences in the upcoming Senate election on the 20th.
A poll released by Asahi Shimbun on the 15th of this month shows that compared to the beginning of the month, the coalition’s seats have significantly deviated from the “at least 50 seats” target. Hiroshi Hamada stated that losing both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors would mean significant fluctuations in Japanese politics.
Hiroshi Hamada, a Japanese political economist:
Last year, the Liberal Democratic Party failed in the House of Representatives elections and then in the Tokyo Diet elections. If another failure occurs in the Senate elections, declaring resignation as the party leader would be natural. Kono might choose to collaborate with the opposition parties. By collaborating with them, some bills could be passed reluctantly. If the Liberal Democratic Party’s seats significantly decrease in the Senate elections, the opposition parties might unite, and there is a possibility of a split within the Liberal Democratic Party.