Shigeru Ishiba: House of Representatives' situation is serious'

Shigeru Ishiba, prime minister and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, described the vote count in the lower house as "grim".

Speaking on a private television program Sunday evening, Ishiba said of the vote count in the House election: "I realize the situation is extremely serious... The biggest reason is the lack of understanding (among voters) on politics and money.

Asked if he intended to continue his duty, Ishiba said: "Yes. We must do our best to implement the policies we have proposed.

As to whether he plans to cooperate with some opposition parties with less than a majority of the seats, he replied that "the highest priority should be to work together on what policies can be implemented."

As of 10 p.m. local time Sunday, the LDP had 119 seats and the New Komeito Party 14. The Constitutional Democratic Party won 95 seats, the Japan Restoration Party 20 seats, the Japanese Communist Party 6 seats, the National Democratic Party 13 seats, and the Social Democratic Party 1 seat.