Japanese voters head to the polls to vote in crucial election for Prime Minister Ishiba’s agenda

Ishiba is seeking a simple majority of 125 seats.

Published: July 20, 2025 10:23am

Updated: July 20, 2025 7:29pm

Japanese voters are heading to the polls on Sunday for the parliament’s upper chamber election that could set back Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s agenda.

Ishiba is seeking a simple majority of 125 seats. 

Early exit polls show Ishiba is likely to lose his current ruling coalition. 

Prior to the election, his governing coalition had 141 seats.

The election will decide half of the 248 seats in the smaller of the two parliamentary houses.

 

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