japan's ruling party failed to win a majority in the general election...ishiba in a tight spot

[Anchor]
As Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and the ruling coalition failed to secure a majority of seats in the general election, it is expected that Japanese politics will swirl hard to predict.

As a result of this general election, the Liberal Democratic Party is expected to take responsibility for Prime Minister Ishiba and move to step down in earnest.

I'm connecting to the local area in Japan.

Correspondent Kim Se-ho!

As a result of Japan's House of Representatives general election, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party was defeated, so please tell us the current status of securing seats.

[Reporter]
Yes. This general election in Japan can be summed up as the collapse of the majority of the ruling party and the progress of the opposition party.

Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured 191 seats, while the ruling New Komeito Party secured only 24 seats.

In addition to failing to pass the majority alone, it was far below the 233 majority of 465 seats in the Komeito Party.

In particular, the Liberal Democratic Party has two incumbent ministers from the Ishiba Cabinet, including the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
The defeat of Keiichi Ishii in Gongdang,
, is a symbolic sign of the ruling party's defeat.

It is the first time in 15 years that the Liberal Democratic Party has missed a majority since handing over to the former Democratic Party in 2009.

The biggest reason for this result is the LDP slush fund scandal at the end of last year and the resulting distrust.

Criticism spread further after it was revealed that the party provided support funds to lawmakers who were involved in the slush fund and excluded the nomination.

On the other hand, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, which has been focusing on the Liberal Democratic Party's slush fund issue in this election campaign, has 148 seats, compared to 98 seats,

The People's Democratic Party also made strides by significantly increasing the number of seats from seven to 28, more than three times the number of seats.

The total number of seats in the opposition party was 250, exceeding the 215 seats in the ruling party of the Liberal Democratic Party and Gongjin.

[Anchor]
It is no exaggeration to say that the Ishiba administration's fate was at stake, but how do you predict the future impact on the political situation?

[Reporter]
Immediately after taking office on the 1st, Prime Minister Ishiba dissolved the House of Representatives for the shortest period in history and threw a winning move to hold a general election.

It was intended to capitalize on expectations for the launch of a new regime at a time when the party's foundation was weak, but
The failure to secure a majority of
is expected to lead to fierce responsibility within the party.

There is a possibility that Ishiba's move to step down, centered on the opposition within the party, will also begin in earnest.

Prime Minister Ishiba said he was severely judged by the results, but indicated that he had no intention of stepping down.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister: I think that the results have been quite severe so far. From the middle of the election, I thought it would be a very difficult election.

On the other hand, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the main opposition party, which has made great strides, is expected to use this momentum to try to unite the opposition party three times and work on a regime change.

[Noda Yoshihiko / Leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party, Former Prime Minister: I think regime change is the biggest political reform. If there is an opportunity, other parties will respond seriously based on the election results.]

In a special parliamentary session next month, the existing cabinet will resign and re-elect a prime minister to form a new government.

Until then, the Liberal Democratic Party has to give up its position as prime minister if it fails to secure a majority in partnership with opposition forces other than the Komeito Party.

In this situation, if all opposition seats are gathered, it is possible to change the prime minister, but it is not easy to realize as the lines between opposition parties are different.

The Constitutional Democratic Party also considers next year's upper house elections rather than trying to change the government immediately,

As we continue dialogue and cooperation with other opposition parties, we are expected to focus first on a long-term plan to regain power.

I'm Kim Se-ho of YTN in Tokyo.