Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition failed Monday to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election, NHK public television said. Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already have to retain their majority.

Japan's ruling coalition lost control of the upper house in an election on Sunday, further weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power even as he vowed to remain party leader, citing a looming tariff deadline with the United States.

TOKYO—Japan’s ruling coalition suffered a significant loss in a parliamentary election Sunday, a setback that risks derailing delicate trade negotiations with the U.S. just weeks before punishing tariffs are set to take effect.

Japan's ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, lost its majority in the upper house, intensifying political uncertainty amid economic woes and rising populism. Voters expressed frustration over stagnant wages,

Japan's ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, lost control of the upper house in a Sunday election. This further weakens Ishiba's hold on power, following a previous loss in the lower house.

Exit polls suggest that Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito will secure only 32 to 51 of the 124 contested seats in the 248-seat chamber. They needed at least 50 seats to maintain their grip on power.

While Sunday's ballot doesn’t directly determine whether Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s shaky minority government falls, it heaps pressure on the embattled leader of the key U.S. ally.