Uncertainty clouds JIP’s role in ruling coalition following LDP’s election win

The Japan Innovation Party won 36 seats in Sunday’s Lower House election, a slight increase over its preelection total. But with the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory giving it a two-thirds majority, the JIP’s role and continued influence as the junior ruling coalition partner is unclear.

For the moment, despite the LDP’s overwhelming victory, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and JIP senior leaders are vowing to stick together.

“This election campaign was one in which we asked the public about whether it was appropriate to proceed under the framework of a new coalition government with the JIP,” Takaichi said at a Monday night news conference.