Japan's Ishiba indicates he will stay on as prime minister

But leader acknowledges 'harsh judgment' after lower house election drubbing

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is also leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, attends a press conference on Oct. 28 in Tokyo. © Reuters

TAMAYO MUTO and SAYUMI TAKE, Nikkei staff writers

October 28, 2024 14:34 JST

Updated on October 28, 2024 18:29 JST

TOKYO -- A humbled Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba indicated on Monday that he intends to stay on as Japan's leader after his Liberal Democratic Party and ruling coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time since 2009 in a general election the day before.

The LDP and Komeito won a combined 215 seats by Nikkei's count, falling short of the 233 needed to maintain a majority in the 465-seat chamber. Opposition parties secured 235 seats. Both sides are expected to scramble to put together a majority coalition to form a government.