Japan - July 21, 2025 The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is still likely to continue in the short term after his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the upper house of parliament, said a former Japanese politician. Japan's 27th House of Councilors election concluded on Monday morning with a stunning defeat for the ruling coalition of the LDP and its partner Komeito. Ishiba reiterated his intention to stay in office an interview in Tokyo on Wednesday, saying that previous reports about his planned resignation were not true. Koike Masanari, a former member of the Japanese National Diet, said in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) that the Ishiba cabinet is still likely to continue in the short term as the situation is relatively stable within the LDP. Masanari said although the overall number of seats increased for the opposition parties, the distribution of power is relatively scattered. It may be difficult for the opposition parties to form a joint force in important decision-making. Shotlist: Tokyo, Japan - July 21, 2025: 1. Various of Japan's National Diet building: 2. Characters reading "House of Councilors"; Tokyo, Japan - July 22, 2025 3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Koike Masanari, former member, Japanese National Diet (ending with shot 4): "The power of the factions within the LDP has been weakened. Even if one or two members stand up alone (against Ishiba), they can only exert less influence than before. Therefore, it is difficult for a real split to occur within the LDP."; Tokyo, Japan - July 20, 2025 4. Various of board showing posters of upper house election candidates; Tokyo, Japan - July 22, 2025 5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Koike Masanari, former member, Japanese National Diet (ending with shot 6): "The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, did not gain any seats in this election. Under the current system, I’m afraid the opposition does not have the strength to file a no-confidence motion to oust Ishiba and trigger the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the subsequent general election."; Tokyo, Japan - July 21, 2025 ;6. Various of Japan's National Diet building; FILE: Tokyo, Japan - 2024 7. Aerial shots of cityscape, traffic. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]