While nearly 300 Liberal Democratic Party candidates nationwide rejoiced over their resounding success in the Dec. 16 Lower House election, the mood of some at party headquarters was more sober.

The countdown board showing the days leading up to the election was immediately replaced by another reminding them that as of Dec. 17, there were only 223 days left before the terms of half of the Upper House councilors expire.

The LDP's executives are well-aware of history. The party lacks an Upper House majority that won't be easy to acquire come July, but failure to do so could spell disaster for the party and its new Cabinet. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was forced to step down as prime minister in 2007 after the LDP was trounced in a House of Councilors election.