The country’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party is reeling from the loss of its majority in the lower house of parliament, or the Diet, just as the government protests against North Korean troops in Russia.

The election results mean that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba must focus on securing enough seats for his long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party to control a majority of the lower house’s 465 seats, who elects the Prime Minister.

Mr. Ishiba called elections a month ago after his election by the lower house as prime minister, hoping his party would win even more seats and confirm its hold on the government. The ruse backfired, plunging Japan into a political crisis that distracted from concerns about North Korea, which views Japan as an enemy along with South Korea and America.

Mr. Ishiba’s chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said the government was “watching with serious concern North Korea’s sending of troops to Russia,” but Mr. Ishiba is now looking for new coalition partners among minor parties holding a small number of seats. in the lower house. The PLD has not been in such dire straits since a left-wing coalition was in power between 2009 and 2012.

For Mr. Ishiba, the concern is no longer the danger posed by North Korea or its allies, Russia and communist China, but simply the fact of clinging to power while his party suffers from financial scandals. black as members of the PLD and its partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito Party, misappropriated for their personal use.

“The dismal results underscore a growing distrust of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party,” Japan’s Kyodo news agency said, blaming the slush fund scandal for what it called “a seismic shift in support which allowed him to return to power in 2012 after a period of transition. opposition.”

The political crisis is also likely to cast a shadow over Mr Ishiba’s idea to expand the role of Japan’s military establishment, known as the “self-defense forces”, by weakening or scrapping the article 9 of the post-war Japanese constitution prohibiting Japan from sending its troops. forces overseas.

He also called for making Japan “an equal partner” with its American ally, revising their longstanding defense treaty as well as a status of forces agreement that gives Americans control over soldiers accused of crimes against the Japanese.

The impact of these reforms would have been to once again project Japan as a regional military power reminiscent of the pre-World War II era. In this turn of events, Japan would be able to support Washington against China’s rising power and also resist North Korea more effectively while strengthening ties with South Korea.

The last elections, however, put all these dreams on hold. Mr. Ishiba must now worry about the possible resurgence of Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda, whose center-left party now holds 148 seats in the lower house.

After serving as prime minister during the three years the LDP was out of power, Mr. Noda hopes to challenge the LDP in a long-term bid to lead the government again.

Although he supports the alliance with Washington, Mr. Noda opposes revising the constitution or any other measures that would increase the size of the armed forces. His own party and minor party leaders are sure to engage in heated debates, most of which have little to do with defence.

“The developments are similar to those in some European countries,” says a Kyodo commentary. “Far-right or far-left political parties have gained momentum amid growing frustration with dominant powers perceived to favor elites and the wealthy. »