Japan's ruling coalition may struggle to secure a majority in Sunday's House of Councillors election as recent polls show dwindling support for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's administration, noted political economist Kazuyuki Hamada.
Hamada said in an interview with China Media Group that the government's failure to address rising prices despite promises of income rise has fueled frustration among the public.
"The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-Komeito coalition has stubbornly clung to its old ways, only to fuel growing public discontent. While paying lip service to addressing inflation by raising incomes, the party has failed to deliver substantive policies. This has sown doubts not just among voters, but within the LDP itself. Many now believe Prime Minister Ishiba cannot lead them to victory. The Upper House election on July 20 may deliver devastating results for Ishiba's LDP," he said.
Multiple surveys, including a July 15 Asahi Shimbun poll, indicate the LDP is falling short of its 50-seat target.
"After suffering defeat in last year's general election and the Tokyo assembly polls, another loss in the Upper House would logically require the party leader to take responsibility. Ishiba may attempt fragile alliances with opposition parties to barely pass legislation. But if the LDP suffers significant seat losses, we could see opposition parties uniting against it, and more alarmingly, potential fragmentation within the LDP itself," said Hamada.
Japan's ruling coalition faces tough Upper House election amid plummeting support: expert
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
