Japan ruling coalition routed by upstarts in latest elections

Japan's ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, lost its upper house majority in a crucial parliamentary election on Sunday. Of the 125 upper house seats up for election, the ruling coalition won 47, versus the opposition's 78.

The Chamber has a total of 248 seats. Including the coalition's 75 seats that were not up for reelection, the bloc's upper house presence is down to 122 from 141, three seats short of a majority. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party lost 13 seats while its coalition partner, Komeito, gave up six.

The loss is another blow to Ishiba's coalition, making it a minority in both houses following its October defeat in the lower house election, and worsening Japan's political instability.

It was the first time the LDP-led coalition had lost a majority in both houses of Parliament since the party's formation in 1955.

Reference Sources

1. nikkei - Japan ruling coalition routed by upstarts: 3 election takeaways
2. cna - Commentary: Japan’s leader has lost his ‘mandate of heaven’
3. malaymail - Asian markets hold steady despite Japan’s government crisis as Tesla, Alphabet set to report this week
4. bussinesstimes - Yen advances as Ishiba holds on in face of election setback - The Business Times
5. jakartaglobe - Ishiba's Coalition Loses Majority in Japan's Upper House Election

Self-driving cars and buses coming to UK roads in 2026

(Source: Getty Images)

The UK government has launched a public consultation on the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme, which will allow representatives, industry Stakeholders, trade unions, and members of the public to voice their opinions on how Self-Driving vehicles could be used.

The consultation comes ahead of the proposed roll-out of Taxi-, Private-Hire, and Bus-Like services with Self-Driving technology from spring 2026, before the implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act in 2027.

The new technology could provide more accessible travel options and boost transport in rural areas, while creating 38,000 jobs and unlocking a £42 billion industry – all part of the change plan. The public and industry are being encouraged to help shape the future of Self-Driving vehicles, as they are invited to offer their views to make them safe and accessible before the first services become available next year.

London is likely to be one of the first cities to benefit after Uber and UK Tech firm Wayve announced plans for a joint project in the capital.

Oxa, another British firm, is also expected to launch trial schemes after previously testing autonomous cars in Oxford, London, and Birmingham. Ministers are keen to fast-track the introduction of the vehicles in the belief that it will give UK manufacturers and technology providers an advantage when Self-Driving cars and buses become the norm across the world in the years to come.

Reference Sources

1. govuk - Next steps for self-driving vehicles as future passengers help shape self-driving vehicles law
2. express - Major road law change 2026 planned with key details released in DfT consultation
3. express - Self-driving cars and buses coming to UK roads in 2026
4. independent - Why millions of people could benefit from self-driving vehicles in the UK

More Americans shift money from checking and savings to accounts with investment income, study says

(Source: AP)

New research by Jpmorganchase Institute has found that more Americans are shifting their money from checking and savings accounts into financial vehicles that pay investment income.

The analysis examined the accounts of 4.7 million households and found that people's total cash reserves are increasing when including new amounts going into brokerage accounts, money market funds, and certificates of deposit to assess people's well-being. Inflation-adjusted cash balances in checking and savings accounts "remain low with a Flat-Growth trajectory," but since the middle of 2024, total cash reserves have been increasing and approaching historical growth trends once the additional accounts are included, the analysis said. Families across many income bands are now seeing a turnaround in their total cash, said Chris Wheat, president of the Institute. Wheat said it had been "hard to square the circle" of consumer spending staying strong despite the lack of growth in checking and savings accounts, an issue that can now be explained by people in a Higher-Interest rate environment shifting more money into accounts that yield investment returns.

He said people appear to be using the other accounts to manage their cash, rather than simply making long-term investments.

Reference Sources

1. usnews - More Americans Shift Money From Checking and Savings to Accounts With Investment Income, Study Says
2. apnews - More Americans shift money from checking and savings to accounts with investment income, study says

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.

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