The coalition secured just 215 of the House of Representatives’ 465 seats, short of the 233 needed for a majority. Opposition parties won a total of 250 seats. The leading opposition Constitutional Democratic Party won 148 seats, up from 98. Prime Minister Ishiba Shigheru, who is president of the LDP, admitted the election result is a serious defeat for the ruling coalition.
Mr. Ishiba called for cooperation of the opposition, but said he will maintain a government in which the LDP plays a central role.
Political analysts say that if Ishiba and the LDP maintain their coalition with the Komeito Party, the coalition will not be strong enough to force decisions in the House of Representatives, but if they choose to form a coalition with another party, they will violate their commitment to the Komeito Party and will have to accept many demands from their new partner.
