Japan PM faces 'Japanese&first' populist challenge in upper house election

Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a tightly contested upper house election that could unleash political turmoil, with rising prices, immigration concerns and the emergence of a Trump-style "Japanese-first" party threatening to weaken Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power. 

Jul 20, 2025 - 18:05
Japan PM faces 'Japanese&first' populist challenge in upper house election
Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a tightly contested upper house election that could unleash political turmoil, with rising prices, immigration concerns and the emergence of a Trump-style "Japanese-first" party threatening to weaken Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power.