Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba clung on Monday even after his coalition suffered what he called an “extremely regrettable” election result, as painful new US tariffs loom. In Sunday’s election,

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ’s ruling coalition failed Monday to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election, NHK public television said.

Pending tariffs from America and a political deadlock are threatening Japan’s economic stability.

Japanese voters angry at inflation turned to other parties, notably the "Japanese first" Sanseito, which made strong gains with its "anti-globalist" drive reminiscent of US President Donald Trump's agenda.

Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a tightly contested election amid public frustration over rising prices and the imminent threat of US tariffs. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito need to secure a combined 50 seats to retain an overall majority in the upper house but the latest polling shows they might fall short.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the 248-seat upper house following Sunday's crucial parliamentary election, deepening political instability in the country,