The country’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party is reeling from the shock of losing its majority in the lower house of parliament, just as the government protests North Korean troops in Russia.

The election results mean Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba must focus on winning enough seats for his long-ruling Liberal-Democratic Party to control a majority of the 465 seats in the lower house, which elects the prime minister.

Mr. Ishiba called the election a month ago after he was elected prime minister by the lower house, in the hope that his party would win more seats and confirm its dominance over the government. The ruse backfired, plunging Japan into a political crisis that distracted from concerns about North Korea, which sees Japan as an enemy in the same category as South Korea and America.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, chief secretary of Mr. Ishiba’s cabinet, said the government “watches with serious concern North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia” but said Mr. Ishiba is now looking for new coalition partners among smaller parties with a small number of seats. in the lower house. The LDP was never in such a difficult situation between 2009 and 2012, when a left-leaning coalition came to power.

For Mr. Ishiba, the concern now is not the danger posed by North Korea or its allies Russia and Communist China, but simply clinging to office while his party suffers from slush fund scandals involving members of the LDP and its partners. The Buddhist-backed Komeito Party was diverted to their personal use.

“The dismal results underlined deepening distrust of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party,” Japan’s Kyodo news agency said, blaming the slush funds scandal on what it called “the seismic shift in support that enabled it to return to power in 2012.” opposition.”

The political crisis also appears likely to cast a shadow over Mr. Ishiba’s idea of ​​expanding the role of Japan’s military structure, known as “self-defense forces,” by weakening or eliminating Article 9 of Japan’s postwar constitution, which prohibits sending weapons to Japan. forces abroad.

He also called for making Japan an “equal partner” with its American ally, revising the long-standing defense pact and an accompanying status of forces agreement that gives Americans control over soldiers accused of crimes against the Japanese.

The effect of these reforms would be to recast Japan as a regional military power reminiscent of the period before World War II. In this case, Japan will be able to support Washington against China’s increasing power and stand more effectively against North Korea while strengthening its ties with South Korea.

However, the recent elections put all these dreams on hold. Now Mr. Ishiba must worry about the possible resurgence of Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda, whose center-left party now has 148 seats in the lower house.

Mr. Noda, who served as prime minister during the three years the LDP was not in power, hopes to challenge the LDP to lead the government again in the long term.

Although he supports an alliance with Washington, Mr. Noda opposes revision of the constitution or any steps to increase the size of the armed forces. Leaders of his own party and smaller parties are certain to engage in heated debates, most of which have little to do with defence.

“The developments are similar to those in some European countries,” said a Kyodo commentator. “Far-right or far-left political parties have gained momentum amidst growing disillusionment with mainstream powers being seen as favoring elites and the wealthy.”