The 100-Year Life Health Education and Government
After 15 years in power, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority in parliament after an election influenced by scandals, hubris and the price of ramen. A weak Yen, high import costs and the lingering effects of an inflation spike triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have turned ramen, traditionally served in broth as a cheap comfort food, into a treat if not a luxury for millions. The potential political impact wasn’t lost on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba or one of his main rivals, the nationalist Sanae Takaichi, who offered rival plans for ramen subsidies and price controls. They will come too late for 49 ramen shop owners with debts of at least £50,000 who have filed for bankruptcy so far this year. Ishiba’s party and its coalition partner took 215 seats, short of the 233 needed to win an absolute majority.
