Tokyo: 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. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito, which needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already have to retain their majority, won 47 seats. It was three seats short of a majority and a retreat of 19 seats from before the vote.

According to Qatar News Agency, it was the first time the LDP-led coalition has lost a majority in both houses of parliament since the party's formation in 1955. Despite the loss, Ishiba expressed determination to stay on and not create a political vacuum to tackle challenges such as US tariff threats.

"I will fulfill my responsibility as head of the No. 1 party and work for the country," he said.