The Japan Innovation Party won 36 seats in Sunday¡¯s Lower House election, a slight increase over its preelection total. But with the Liberal Democratic Party¡¯s landslide victory giving it a two-thirds majority, the JIP¡¯s role and continued influence as the junior ruling coalition partner is unclear.

For the moment, despite the LDP¡¯s overwhelming victory, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and JIP senior leaders are vowing to stick together.

¡°This election campaign was one in which we asked the public about whether it was appropriate to proceed under the framework of a new coalition government with the JIP,¡± Takaichi said at a Monday night news conference.