Large growth for Sanseito, but it won't join coalition for now

The leader of the opposition Sanseito party said on NHK television during ballot counting that he is pleased by securing three times as many seats as he'd anticipated.

Asked about working with other parties, Kamiya Sohei said he will vote in favor if he finds it agreeable, depending on each bill. He said his position is to decide whether to agree or disagree on each policy.

He said if his party can secure 50 to 60 seats in the next Lower House election, a ruling coalition comprised of small parties like those found in Europe may be able to form. He went on to say if that happens, he would like to take an important position.

Kamiya also criticized the ruling Liberal Democratic Party by saying it encompasses various ideologies from right to left, which causes Japanese people to wonder what the LDP is trying to achieve.
Kamiya said the LDP could break apart in the future, and that he wants to work to create a new framework.

During an interview with another TV network, Kamiya said he doesn't plan to join the ruling coalition at this point. He expressed concern that Sanseito's tiny size renders it liable to be crushed if it becomes part of the ruling bloc.

Opposition CDP leader says voters rejected Ishiba government

The leader of Japan's largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan says he will be closely watching the vote count as many constituencies have close races in Sunday's Upper House election.

Speaking on NHK's election program, Noda said voters have clearly rejected the administration of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.

Noda added he wants Ishiba to explain fully if he continues to serve as prime minister.

Regarding a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet, Noda said if Ishiba remains in office, he first wants to hear what the prime minister has to say at a news conference on Monday and consider what to do.

As for how to face the ruling bloc, Noda suggested the CDP will have thorough discussions with other opposition parties about what they can do together.

Noda added they will continue to do what they can when an extraordinary Diet session is convened, while aiming to explore a vision for forming a government with opposition parties through sincere dialogue. He said it will be an important process.

Tamaki says difficult to cooperate with Ishiba

The leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, Tamaki Yuichiro, said on NHK television during ballot counting that his party's growth in the election reflects voters' expectations for his pledges to raise wages.

Asked about working with the Ishiba administration, Tamaki said he wants to decide depending on each policy. But he said Ishiba did not follow through on promises to raise the minimum taxation threshold and abolish the provisional gasoline tax, both critical policies for the DPFP.

He also questioned whether Ishiba can carry on, adding that he will not cooperate with an Ishiba administration that does not keep promises.

Ishiba suggests he will continue as PM (JST 22:00)

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has hinted he will continue to serve in his position. He made the remarks on NHK while ballots were being counted.

Ishiba told an NHK reporter that his party has so far secured enough seats to be the leading party in the Upper House. He said he has to fulfill the pledges he made during the election campaign, such as wage hikes to counter rising prices. Ishiba also said that he is determined to tackle disaster prevention, regional revitalization, and measures to counter the country's shrinking and aging population.

He also told NHK while the vote count was ongoing that the ruling bloc was in a tough spot in this election, and that he has to humbly accept the outcome.

Ishiba was asked by an NHK reporter whether he plans to invite other opposition parties to join the coalition in the event that the ruling bloc fails to secure a majority in the Upper House election. He said he had been listening to various opinions in Diet sessions since last year, and had revised the bills submitted as needed. He said he will work in the same manner.

Ishiba added he would have to carefully think about how he could best achieve policies.

Upper House election turnout expected to be nearly 58%

Nationwide voter turnout for Japan's Upper House election on Sunday is forecast to be 57.91 percent. That would be up from 52.05 percent in the previous election three years ago.

NHK's tally includes about 26.18 million early votes.

NHK Projections (JST 20:00)

The coalition needs a total of 125 seats for a majority. They already have 75 uncontested seats, but projections suggest it may be difficult for the LD and Komeito to get the additional 50 needed.

If the bloc fails to get a majority, it would be the first time in the LDP's 70-year history for the party to lead a coalition that does not control either house of the Diet.

NHK's projections suggested the ruling bloc might fall short of winning 46 new seats, which would mark a record low for the coalition since it was formed in 1999.

These projections are based on a joint exit poll conducted by NHK, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon TV and its NNN affiliate stations. The poll targeted over 224,000 voters at about 1,700 polling stations nationwide. About 62 percent responded.

These numbers include their uncontested seats which weren't up for grabs this time.

The LDP is projected to hold between a total of 27 and 41 seats. It could potentially be the party's worst-ever result in an Upper House election. Its previous worst was 36 new seats.

The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, could end up with a total of 18 to 30 seats.

The Japan Innovation Party is likely to end the night with 6 to 9 seats in total.

The LDP's junior coalition partner, Komeito is projected to secure between a total of 5 and 12.

Our decision desk is projecting the Democratic Party for the People may have between a total of 14 and 21 seats. Its goal was 16 new seats.

The Japanese Communist Party is projected to have between 3 and 5 in total.

And Reiwa Shinsengumi could secure between a total of 2 and 4 seats.

Sanseito is likely to hold 10 to 22 total seats which is a huge jump from what they had coming into the race.

The Conservative Party of Japan may secure a total of 1 to 3 seats.

And the Social Democratic Party may hold 1 seat.

Projections suggest it will be difficult for The Collaborative Party to secure any seats.

NHK Party may secure 1 seat. The party has no connection to NHK, the public broadcaster.

The NHK decision desk also says it will be difficult for the Path to Rebirth to win a seat.

Team Mirai may win 1 to 2 seats.

Independents and others are projected to secure a total of 7 and 8 seats.