The results of Sunday's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly elections have dealt a severe blow to Prime Minister Taro Aso, leader of the ruling coalition composed of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
The ruling coalition's poor showing briefly sparked talk in the LDP of replacing Mr. Aso with a new leader. But it is unlikely such a step would improve the party's prospects because it would produce the fourth consecutive LDP leader to take power without a voter mandate. In any case, to thwart his opponents Mr. Aso has decided to dissolve the Lower House next week and to hold snap elections Aug. 30.
Given Sunday's results, the LDP faces an uphill battle. The party lost its top position in the assembly — which it had held since 1969 — to the Democratic Party of Japan, and the LDP-Komeito camp also lost its majority in the assembly. The number of LDP seats has sunk to the record low set in 1965.