The stability that has underpinned Japanese energy policy for decades is now facing doubts. Since losing its Diet majority last week, the ruling LDP has lost some control over the implementation of its energy agenda, leaving it reliant on minority parties.

State-led initiatives and programs that rely heavily on state funding and rule-making will face additional scrutiny and consensus-building, leading to potential delays. It also puts the government in a weak position to dictate the next Basic Energy Plan.

In a blow to the new Cabinet, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito coalition lost its Lower House majority in the Oct 27 election, the first time since 2009 and a rare occurrence in the past half century. The results show widespread dissatisfaction among voters over energy and food price inflation and a recent slush fund scandal.

As Prime Minister Ishiba seeks to pick up the pieces, his government will need to take greater heed of proposals from opposition parties and rely on ad hoc support from lawmakers across the political divide. In such an environment, populist energy policies and uncertainty over longer-term programs look inevitable. How PM Ishiba proceeds, and how long he lasts in power, will cloud policy-making.