Prime minister Shinzo Abe took the blame for the humiliating defeat of his scandal-plagued coalition in Japan’s upper house election, but pledged to remain in office despite expected calls for his resignation.

Japan’s prime minister faced growing calls to resign today, a day after his coalition suffered a humiliating election defeat that claimed the job of his ruling party’s secretary general and may trigger a Cabinet overhaul.

Japan’s ruling party suffered a devastating defeat in parliamentary elections today, as voters angry at a spate of government scandals revolted against embattled Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.