Japan election: voters have issued ‘severe judgment’, PM says after ruling coalition loses majority

Shigeru Ishiba and his Liberal Democratic party must try to find a third coalition partner after bruising election result creates political turmoil

Japan's political future was shrouded in uncertainty on Monday after voters punished the ruling coalition over rising prices and a funding scandal, paving the way for days of wrangling as party leaders try to form a government.

The Liberal Democratic party (LDP) and its longtime junior coalition partner Komeito failed to secure a majority in the lower house on a bruising night in which the main opposition Constitutional Democratic party (CDP) made significant gains.