JAPAN

Ruling bloc loses Upper House majority

Chaos looms as DPJ, Kokumin Shinto fail first test

Study in contrasts: Prime Minister Naoto Kan appears subdued before reporters early Monday at the Democratic Party of Japan's election headquarters at a Tokyo hotel, while Liberal Democratic Party chief Sadakazu Tanigaki smiles Sunday evening as results give his party the edge in the Upper House poll. | SATOKO KAWASAKI PHOTO, YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTO

Compiled From Kyodo, Staff Report

Jul 12, 2010

The Democratic Party of Japan-led ruling coalition lost its Upper House majority on Sunday as Prime Minister Naoto Kan's sudden emphasis on tax reform pushed voters back to the Liberal Democratic Party.

Of the 121 seats up for grabs, the DPJ secured 44, compared with 51 for the LDP.

The LDP, which had 38 seats up for contention, emerged as the victor in the election and was set to secure far more than the 71 seats it had going in.

Ruling bloc loses Upper House majority

Chaos looms as DPJ, Kokumin Shinto fail first test

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