Briefly

JAPAN

Ruling bloc may lose hold in upper house

Japan's ruling coalition will likely lose its majority in the upper house election on July 20, media polls showed on Tuesday. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, with its coalition partner Komeito, will likely struggle to retain the 50 seats needed to defend its majority in the upper house of parliament, the Asahi newspaper said based on voter polls and nationwide reporting by its journalists. Japan's Jiji news agency also reported on Tuesday that the ruling coalition was struggling in the election campaign, and could lose its majority in the upper house. Ishiba's administration has seen approval ratings slide as the rising cost of living, including the soaring price of Japan's staple rice, hit households.