It’s still unclear if his ruling coalition with the junior partner Komeito can retain a majority. Ishiba has set a goal of retaining a majority of 233 seats for the ruling coalition between the LDP and its Buddhist-backed Komeito. But analysts say Ishiba’s LDP was expected to remain the top party in Japan’s parliament as voters are skeptical about the opposition’s ability and inexperience. There could be regrouping attempts among opposition parties to decide whether to cooperate among themselves or join the ruling coalition, political watchers say. Ishiba is expected to last at least until the ruling bloc approves key budget plans at the end of December.

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Persons: Shigeru Ishiba’s, It’s, Komeito, can’t, Ishiba, Fumio Kishida, “, ”, Yoshihiko Noda, Noda, won’t, Izuru Makihara, ” Makihara, Shinzo Abe, Rintaro Nishimura, Abe Organizations: NHK, Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party, Liberal Democratic Party, LDP, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, University of Tokyo, The Asia Group, Democratic Party of, Japan Innovation Party Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Japan’s