Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office, despite exit polls indicating that his Liberal Democratic Party's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the country's upper house.

Japan's shaky minority government is poised for another setback in an upper house vote on Sunday, an outcome that could jolt investor confidence in the world's fourth-largest economy and complicate tariff talks with the United States.

The treasury secretary said the inner workings of the Japanese government are not a priority, in an apparent check on Tokyo's aim to review U.S. automobile tariffs.

Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito were short three seats to maintain a majority in the 248-seat upper house in Sunday's vote.

The Japanese government said it is responding to "crimes and nuisances committed by some foreigners and inappropriate use of various systems."

Unlike the European Union, the Japanese government has made no indication it plans to impose any kind of reciprocal tariff on the U.S.

HAENAM, South Korea / TOKYO: Japan is grappling with rice shortages and price hikes, forcing it to ramp up imports. Just across the sea, South Korea is facing the opposite problem — an overwhelming surplus that has driven prices so low, some regions are practically giving rice away.

Benchmark 10-year bonds fell only slightly as trading resumed in Tokyo, pushing yields up by 1.5 basis points. Stocks opened higher on post-election relief, even as their outlook remains at the mercy of tariffs.