Following a sudden election, Japan's politics experience an unusual dose of turmoil.
This dramatic vote comes after a political fundraising corruption scandal that exposed prominent politicians and cabinet officials of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last year, damaging the party's reputation and infuriating the public.
As people grappled with inflation, rising prices, stagnant salaries, and a slowing economy, dozens of LDP legislators were under investigation for embezzling millions of dollars from political fundraisers.
The LDP was ultimately punished at the polling station by an angry and weary populace that issued a clear message in Sunday's vote. A party that had controlled Japan virtually nonstop since 1955 suffered a devastating defeat when it lost its one-party majority in the influential lower chamber.
However, there was also no obvious victor. When the public sought a viable alternative, a fragmented opposition did not materialize.
Despite being badly damaged, the LDP managed to secure 191 seats, more than the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), the largest opposition party, which finished with 148 seats.
Voters who are tired of a party and officials they perceive as dishonest and unscrupulous seem to be the driving force behind this election. However, Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, stated that they do not wish to install a new head.
The future of the previous leadership is still unknown. After its ally Komeito lost multiple seats, including its chief's, the LDP's ruling coalition fell short of the halfway point, which is 233 seats in the 465-member Diet.
The LDP will not be able to form a majority, despite Komeito's 24 seats.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was sworn in as prime minister just this month after winning a close contest for party leadership, called the ruling a "severe judgment."
As the results were announced on Sunday, he stated that voters had "expressed their strong desire for the LDP to reflect and become a party that will act in line with the people's will."
With mounting dissatisfaction and falling ratings forcing out the previous prime minister, Fumio Kishida, it was hoped that Ishiba as leader would be able to preserve the LDP at the vote.
However, Ishiba's decision to call a snap election less than a month ago was a risk that hasn't worked out.
He and his party both misjudged the level of public ire and, more importantly, their readiness to take action.
The LDP will now have to join forces with other parties it contested in the election in order to maintain its hold on power. And because it needs to compromise and negotiate in order to live, it will do so from a position of considerable weakness.
The LDP has traditionally had a secure position in Japanese politics, so it is difficult to exaggerate how uncommon this is.
Additionally, it has a solid record of governance; the opposition's attempts to seize power in 1993 and 2009 both ended poorly.
The LDP has won every election since regaining power in 2012, with virtually no opposition. The status quo has long been accepted, and the resistance is still not believable to the Japanese people.
A few days prior to the election, 66-year-old voter Miyuki Fujisaki told the BBC, "I think we [the Japanese] are very conservative."
"We find it really difficult to question and alter things. We tend to remain conservative because nothing really changed when the opposition took power and the ruling party changed once.
Ms. Fujisaki stated that she had first been uncertain about her vote, particularly in light of the LDP's fundraising scandal. However, she stated that she was likely to vote for them this time as well because she had always done so.
Although the CDP, the primary opposition party, saw notable gains, analysts say the results reflect voters' anger with the LDP more than their support for the opposition.
According to Mr. Hall, even while people want to hold their leaders responsible, "in [their] minds... there really is no-one else" they trust to govern the nation.
As a result, Japan is left with a fractured opposition and a weakened LDP.
In an increasingly volatile Asia Pacific, the nation has long been regarded as a bulwark of political stability, a sanctuary for investors, and a trustworthy ally of the United States. Therefore, the uncertainty affects not just its own citizens but also its allies and neighbors.
A weak coalition at home won't help improve welfare for an aging population, boost wages, or turn around the economy.
The task of winning back the respect and confidence of a populace tired of politics will be even more difficult.
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