Japan’s ruling party loses three key elections in blow to Suga

Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga (AP)

Japan’s ruling party has lost all three parliamentary by-elections held on Sunday, loosening the prime minister Yoshihide Suga’s grip on power ahead of national elections later this year.

Mr Suga said he takes the results seriously amid voter discontent with his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as well as scandals involving his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.