Japan’s ruling LDP wins big in upper house election after former PM Abe’s death
- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito held at least 75 of the 125 upper house seats up for grabs
- ‘I will continue to work hard to protect democracy,’ Kishida said, in reference to the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe on Friday
The ex-leaders’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito strengthened their hold by more than 75 of the 125 upper house seats up for grabs, according to national news outlets.
The parties are part of what is now a two-thirds supermajority willing to amend the country’s pacifist constitution, thereby strengthening its military role on the global stage - a long-time Abe goal.
Even before the former prime minister’s murder, the LDP and Komeito were expected to cement their majority, though the final number of seats will be scrutinised for signs of whether the attack bolstered support for them.
Kishida had insisted the election proceed despite the assassination, saying “we must never allow violence to suppress speech”.
Conceding defeat, Kenta Izumi, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, which was projected to have lost several seats, said it was clear “voters did not want to switch from the LDP and entrust us with running the government,” according to Kyodo News.
