Japan's ruling coalition to lose majority, says national broadcaster

Japan's ruling coalition is certain to lose its majority in parliament after yesterday's general election, according to the national broadcaster, amid voter anger over a funding scandal and a cost of living crisis in the world's fourth-biggest economy.

- Justin McCurry

The outcome may force the Liberal Democratic party (LDP), which has ruled Japan almost without interruption since the mid-1950s, or the main opposition Constitutional Democratic party (CDP) into power-sharing agreements with other parties to form a government. The official result was not expected until this morning.

The LDP's ability to form a government will depend on whether it can continue as the senior partner in a coalition with Komeito, a much smaller party that was also projected to lose seats. The two parties together need 233 seats to retain a majority.

While the result is not a repeat of the political shock of 15 years ago – an unprecedented defeat for the LDP – it has left the party significantly weakened and will raise questions about the future of the recently installed prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba.