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Japan's PM accepts 'utter defeat' Japan's PM accepts 'utter defeat'
(about 4 hours later)
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has accepted his ruling Liberal Democratic Party has suffered "utter defeat" in polls for the upper house of parliament.Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has accepted his ruling Liberal Democratic Party has suffered "utter defeat" in polls for the upper house of parliament.
But as votes were being counted, Mr Abe said he had no intention of resigning.But as votes were being counted, Mr Abe said he had no intention of resigning.
Projections suggest the LDP will lose control of the chamber for the first time in more than 50 years - handing a landslide victory to the opposition. The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is set to become the largest party in the upper house for the first time.
The party has been hit by a series of ministerial gaffes and scandals since Mr Abe took office 10 months ago. The LDP has been hit by a series of ministerial gaffes and scandals since Mr Abe took office 10 months ago.
I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all Nobuyuki Ietaka, voter Q&A: Upper house poll I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all Nobuyuki Ietaka, voter Q&A: Upper house poll "The responsibility for this utter defeat rests with me," Mr Abe told reporters at his party headquarters in Tokyo.
"The responsibility for this utter defeat rests with me," Mr Abe told reporters at his party headquarters in Tokyo. But he insisted he would not be stepping down - although the deputy leader of the LDP, Hidenao Nakagawa, has resigned.
But in media interviews he insisted he would not be stepping down. "I am determined to carry out my promises although the situation is severe," Mr Abe said.
"I accept these results with humility, and continue to heed the public's opinions while pushing ahead with reforms," Mr Abe was quoted as saying by Kyodo News agency. The LDP has a sizeable majority in the more powerful lower house, which chooses the prime minister. But without a majority in the upper chamber, Mr Abe's administration may find it hard to pass the laws that it wants.
Legislative agenda The DPJ is led by Ichiro OzawaHalf of the 242 seats in the House of Councillors were being contested.
Half of the 242 seats in the House of Councillors were being contested. Before the election, the LDP-led ruling coalition controlled 132 seats. It needed to win 64 of the 121 seats being contested in order to retain its majority.
The DPJ is led by Ichiro OzawaThe LDP-led ruling coalition currently controls 132 seats. It needs to win 64 of the 121 seats that are up for grabs in order to retain its majority. With five seats left to be decided, Japan's public broadcaster NHK suggested the ruling coalition had fallen far short of its target, winning 43 seats out of the 76 it was defending.
But Japanese TV reports suggest the LDP has fallen far short of its target, winning between 31 and 43 seats out of the 76 it was defending. Previous prime ministers have resigned following upper house defeats that were less severe.
The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is on course to become the largest party in the upper house. Pensions scandal
It would mean a DPJ lawmaker would become president of the chamber and control its legislative agenda, making it more difficult for Mr Abe's administration to get laws through parliament.
'Slap in the face'
Tomohiro Nakamura, a 53-year-old bank employee in Tokyo, said he had voted for the opposition "because I have no other choice when LDP politics is in bad shape".Tomohiro Nakamura, a 53-year-old bank employee in Tokyo, said he had voted for the opposition "because I have no other choice when LDP politics is in bad shape".
However, Nobuyuki Ietaka, a 48-year-old computer company salesman, said he was voting for the ruling party. "I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all," he told the Associated Press.
HAVE YOUR SAY This election outcome, like other recent elections, will see little change in policy Y Shimada, Japan Send your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY This election outcome, like other recent elections, will see little change in policy Y Shimada, Japan Send your comments
However, Nobuyuki Ietaka, a 48-year-old computer company salesman, said he was voting for the ruling party. "I don't think other parties are great and I don't think the opposition could change things at all," he told the Associated Press.
The most significant factor in Mr Abe's falling popularity has been a nationwide pensions debacle, with a government agency admitting it has lost records relating to millions of payments.The most significant factor in Mr Abe's falling popularity has been a nationwide pensions debacle, with a government agency admitting it has lost records relating to millions of payments.
Pensions are a key issue in Japan's greying society and, although the mistake was not made under Mr Abe's leadership, many voters have started to question his skills in the job.Pensions are a key issue in Japan's greying society and, although the mistake was not made under Mr Abe's leadership, many voters have started to question his skills in the job.
Mr Abe, 52, became prime minister following popular leader Junichiro Koizumi's decision to step down last year.Mr Abe, 52, became prime minister following popular leader Junichiro Koizumi's decision to step down last year.
His ruling coalition has a sizeable majority in the more powerful lower house - which chooses the prime minister.