<h1>Japan's minority government faces critical upper house election amid corruption scandal and economic concerns</h1> Japan's minority government led by Prime Minister faces a critical upper house election on July 20 following last year's major electoral defeat. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner need 50 seats for a simple majority, down from their current 141 seats. Opposition parties remain fractured despite gains from corruption scandal fallout. Key voter concerns include soaring rice prices, inflation, wage stagnation, and trade tensions with the US. The election outcome could trigger leadership changes or coalition regrouping, though immediate government change is unlikely given opposition divisions.