Shinjiro Koizumi has scrambled to cut soaring rice prices ahead of a high-stakes election this weekend. Will it be enough to buoy support for the Liberal Democratic Party?

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces an increasingly uphill battle in Sunday’s upper house election, and a loss could worsen political instability at a time of daunting challenges, such as rising prices and high U.S. tariffs.

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party ruling coalition may lose its majority in the upper house in an election on Sunday, which could heighten calls for the government to boost spending and cut tax.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba discussed the potential for a beneficial agreement on tariffs. Although no specific terms were discussed, both nations committed to continuing constructive dialogue.

Japan's ruling coalition will likely lose its majority in the upper house election on July 20, media polls showed on Tuesday, heightening the risk of political instability at a time the country struggles to strike a trade deal with the U.