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Both Dogecoin and Shiba Inu are making headlines this week with significant whale activity and fresh technical breakouts. Yet even as these meme coins reclaim key levels, many traders are now pivoting toward Remittix, a new payment token dubbed “XRP 2.0.” Let’s explore the DOGE latest updates, recent Shiba Inu predictions and why Remittix is attracting early investor capital. DOGE Latest Updates Show Double Bottom Breakout Recent DOGE latest updates confirm that Dogecoin has broken out of a key double bottom pattern. After weeks of sideways action, the price surged past the $0.24 neckline and hit $0.2525 with a 5.78% daily gain. Analysts say this classic breakout pattern could send DOGE toward the $0.42 zone, marking a major reversal for the meme coin. source: @ali_charts on X Behind this move is a flurry of whale activity. Wallets holding between 1 million and 100 million DOGE have grown their positions substantially over the past few months. One whale even opened a 10x leveraged long position worth $21.24 million, showing serious confidence in the current price structure. Still, as DOGE latest updates warn, technical caution is needed near the $0.30 resistance zone due to high MVRV and NVT ratios.  Shiba Inu Predictions Strengthen After Whale Surge While DOGE is rising, new Shiba Inu predictions are emerging after a sharp jump in whale activity. Over 615 trillion SHIB tokens were moved in just 24 hours, the highest volume spike in the past month. This level of movement is typically driven by high-net-worth investors preparing for market volatility. source: TradingView SHIB’s price briefly hit $0.000015, testing the top of its current resistance range. Some Shiba Inu predictions suggest a potential breakout if whale accumulation continues. But others caution that a correction could follow if sentiment fades. Still, the recent data shows SHIB is alive and active in the market. A clear move above resistance could spark a short-term rally, keeping traders glued to Shiba Inu predictions throughout July. Remittix Gains Momentum While meme coins dominate headlines, savvy investors are looking elsewhere for bigger gains. Remittix, often called XRP 2.0, is one of the most talked-about Ethereum-based tokens this month. Built for global transactions, Remittix aims to modernize payments using smart blockchain tech. It has already raised over $16.6 million and sold 559 million tokens. Many early adopters believe it could become the next 100x crypto in the real-world payments space. Here’s why Remittix is trending: Real-World Payment Utility: Used by agencies, creatives, and global freelancers. $250K Giveaway Live: Creates community buzz and rapid onboarding. Wallet Launch Coming in Q3: Beta app supports staking and storage. 50% Bonus Active: Early buyers receive extra tokens at checkout. Low Gas Fees, High Speed: Built for mass adoption and daily use. Meme Coins Rally But Smart Money Eyes Utility This week’s DOGE latest updates and Shiba Inu predictions show strong signs of life in meme coin markets. But with smart capital now rotating into Remittix, traders are starting to see that real-world use cases and strong fundamentals may drive the next crypto bull cycle. Discover the future of PayFi with Remittix by checking out their presale here: Website: https://remittix.io/ Socials: https://linktr.ee/remittix $250K Giveaway: https://gleam.io/competitions/nz84L-250000-remittix-giveaway Disclaimer and Risk Warning The content featured on Coinpedia’s press release page is provided for informational purposes only. Coinpedia does not endorse, verify, or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any press releases or associated materials. Any views, opinions, or statements expressed in these press releases are those of the respective issuers and do not reflect the opinions or positions of Coinpedia. Coinpedia is not liable for any content, products, services, or actions mentioned in the press releases. Readers should independently verify the information before taking any actions related to the subject matter of the releases. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

With Ethereum’s steady performance signaling renewed interest in the blockchain sector, attention is turning toward emerging projects with higher growth potential. Ethereum’s climb toward the $3,700 mark suggests continued market confidence in large cap cryptocurrencies yet some investors are now exploring alternative assets for greater potential returns. One such project is Ozak AI, currently in the fourth stage of its presale with tokens priced at $0.005. The project’s low entry price combined with a roadmap aimed at real-world AI integration has sparked early investor interest. The next presale phase targets a token price of $0.01. This positioning has prompted speculation that Ozak AI could yield higher percentage gains than established tokens, such as Ethereum. While Ethereum may increase fivefold early projections suggest Ozak AI could deliver 100x returns if it reaches a target valuation of $1 in the next bull cycle. To clarify, a 100x return from the current price of $0.005 means the token would need to reach $0.50 to achieve 100 times the initial investment. Since the token has already surged 400% from its initial price of $0.001 to $0.005 investors who got in early have already seen significant gains. The next jump from $0.005 to $0.01 represents a further 100% increase before the ultimate goal of $1 is realized. Growth Potential and Market Positioning The $OZ token presale has surpassed $1.39 million in funds raised and sold over 38.18 million tokens that reflecting growing interest from early adopters. The project positions itself at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence, emphasizing utility and scalability across key industries including supply chain, finance and logistics. Its focus is on providing decentralized, AI driven tools that operate through smart contracts which enabling real-time data processing and predictive analytics. Unlike trend-based crypto assets that rely primarily on community sentiment, Ozak AI’s approach is centered on long-term usability. The project’s development includes features aimed at automation, machine learning and decision-making processes that do not require centralized oversight. These characteristics are expected to enhance its relevance across diverse applications, giving it an advantage in an increasingly utility-driven market. Youtube embed: Next 500X AI Altcoin Technical Infrastructure and Tokenomics The Ozak AI ecosystem is being built with a strong focus on sustainable growth. Its tokenomics are structured to support both early-stage investor interest and long-term project development. The current price point of $0.005 offers a low-barrier entry which may appeal to retail investors looking for potential upside ahead of broader exchange listings. Besides the presale dynamics, the framework of Ozak AI will utilize blockchain to enable the protection of its data transactions and the possibility of scaling its AI processes. Transparency and consistency in operations are guaranteed by the use of smart contracts. Key features include decentralized AI agents, real-time market analytics and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) infrastructure, making it a practical and forward-looking solution for traders and Web3 developers.  With institutional and retail investors keeping an eye on new names on the blockchain and paying less attention to large caps, more attention is being paid to early-stage tokens, including Ozak AI. As the development continues with a clear use-case strategy, the project is establishing itself on one of the competitive ends of the market that is already appreciative of innovative solutions supported by applied technology. These aspects coincide with the trend in the crypto industry to move towards functionality and reliability that will increasingly affect the attitude of investors by the end of 2025. For more information about Ozak AI, visit the links below: Website: https://ozak.ai/  Twitter/X: https://x.com/OzakAGI  Telegram: https://t.me/OzakAGI  Disclaimer and Risk Warning The content on Coinpedia’s sponsored page is provided by third parties and is intended for promotional purposes. Coinpedia does not endorse, guarantee, or take responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or effectiveness of any services, products, or information presented in these sponsored materials. The inclusion of sponsored content does not imply Coinpedia’s approval or support. Readers are advised to exercise due diligence and conduct their research before making decisions or taking action based on the information presented in sponsored content. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Ayni Gold is revolutionizing gold investment by tokenizing real mining capacity in Peru. Each $AYNI token is linked to measurable gold extraction and rewards investors in PAXG (a gold-backed stablecoin) through staking. Why Tokenized Gold Mining Is Changing Gold Investment Gold-backed tokens are gaining popularity as investors seek secure, inflation-proof assets. Tokenized gold mining combines real-world assets with blockchain transparency, giving users exposure to mining profits without owning physical gold or managing operations. As gold prices push toward record highs and investors pivot back toward real-world assets, one project is reimagining what gold exposure can look like in the age of blockchain. Historically, gold mining is highly centralized and inaccessible. Central banks and large investment funds dominate the sector, controlling resources, data, and profits. Private investors are excluded from participating in mining operations and are limited to trading gold derivatives on exchanges — missing out on the full economic upside of gold production. In a world where participation in gold mining is a monopoly of big corporations, Ayni Gold is a gateway to institutional-grade gold profits for everyday investors. It is a new Web3 venture with deep roots in the Peruvian gold sector. But unlike other “gold-backed” crypto projects, it isn’t just creating a digital asset pegged to bullion in a vault. It’s going a step further: tokenizing the actual capacity to mine gold through the $AYNI token and sharing the profits with its holders. Source: X With its OTC token sale now open to early participants, Ayni is beginning to pull back the curtain on a model that could redefine how gold investment works, especially for non-crypto natives. How Does Ayni Gold Token ($AYNI) Work? Most blockchain projects that claim to be “gold-backed” are really just tokens tied to theoretical reserves or stored bullion. Ayni does something far more concrete. Each $AYNI token is backed by real-world mining capacity — specifically, 0.000004 cubic meters per hour of earth extraction from a licensed gold mine in Peru. That mine, operated by Minerales San Hilario, holds over nine tons of verified gold reserves, and the extraction is already underway. This means Ayni doesn’t rely on future speculation — it’s linked to measurable production in real time. This “power-token” concept gives $AYNI a level of real-world accountability few digital assets can match. To create deflationary pressure and support the token’s long-term value, the supply is capped at 806 million units. Additionally, 15% of all management fees collected for providing the staking service will be used to buy back $AYNI from the open market and burn it on a quarterly basis. How to Earn Rewards with Ayni Staking Ayni doesn’t operate like a typical speculative token. Simply holding it won’t generate returns. To start earning, token owners need to stake their tokens — locking them for a chosen time period to activate their share of gold extraction profits. The platform offers various lock-up options, allowing users to balance flexibility with returns. And to make things even more intuitive, Ayni has launched a Smart Mining Calculator on its website. This tool lets users input how much they want to stake and for how long, then generates estimated earnings based on live mining data, not assumptions. The entire staking model is designed to feel familiar for an average user. No confusing DeFi language. Just stake, wait, and earn. Payouts in PAXG (Gold-Backed Stablecoin) Where Ayni really separates itself is in how it distributes profit. Instead of paying returns in $AYNI or a platform-native token, the platform rewards stakers in PAXG — a gold-backed stablecoin issued by Paxos — with payments made quarterly based on the actual processed capacity and gold mined. Each PAXG token is tied 1:1 to physical gold held in vaults, giving users the benefit of true gold exposure, without storage, security, or delivery hassles. Even if crypto markets are volatile, Ayni’s payout model stays rooted in the intrinsic value of gold. Is Ayni Safe? Transparency and Audits The platform’s commitment to transparency is not just for show. The mining concession in Peru is operated by the same leadership as Ayni, creating full alignment between the physical and digital sides of the project. All mining outputs, operational expenses, and distribution data will be shared regularly through public business reports. These off-chain disclosures are backed by on-chain records, accessible through the DAO framework, ensuring that token holders can verify what they see — whether it’s mining output or how rewards are calculated. This community-driven governance model also gives $AYNI holders voting rights on key project decisions. Audits: Ayni’s smart contracts and staking logic will undergo third-party audits once launched. PeckShield has already audited $AYNI token deployment. Disclaimer and Risk Warning The content provided on Coinpedia’s information pages is intended to be informative and accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, Coinpedia does not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any information presented. The information is subject to change without notice, and readers are encouraged to conduct their research and consult with relevant professionals before acting on any details or advice. Coinpedia is not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions resulting from the use of the information provided on these pages. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

XRP is making headlines once again as July turned out to be one of its most eventful months this year. From surging new accounts on XRPL to record-breaking TVL (Total Value Locked), XRP’s momentum is catching the eye of both traders and long-term investors.  Could this be the start of another major breakout? XRP Network Growth Hits New Milestones One of the strongest signals of XRP’s growing traction is the surge in new accounts. According to XRPScan data, over 10,000 new accounts were created on July 18 alone, the highest since February.  While it hasn’t topped the all-time high of 30,000 set in December 2024, this steady rise shows that new investors are flowing into the network. The number of active wallet addresses also saw a huge jump, surpassing 50,500—a 100% increase compared to the previous month. This spike suggests not just interest but real usage of XRP’s blockchain, something many altcoins struggle to achieve. Ripple Sees Massive Whale Transfer Ripple has caught everyone’s attention after a huge XRP transfer worth over $738 million was spotted. This sudden move comes as XRP’s price edges closer to its 2018 all-time high, leaving traders and fans wondering what’s next. According to data from Whale Alert, a massive 210,669,117 XRP tokens were moved in a single transaction. At first, the sender’s identity was a mystery, which sparked intense discussions within the XRP community.  TVL Reaches New Heights Another big milestone comes from XRP’s total value locked (TVL). This number just hit an all-time high above $92 million, mostly driven by activity on XRP’s decentralized exchange (DEX). For nearly a year, TVL had stayed flat, but now new energy is flowing in. Part of this push came from Ripple’s official launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain Mainnet in early July. This upgrade made it easier for people to lock their XRP into liquidity pools and use it in new ways. XRP Dominance on the Rise XRP’s dominance index (XRP.D) recently crossed the 5.4% mark, its highest level of 2025 so far. Some analysts believe it could climb toward 15% or even revisit its 2017 peak of 30% if the current trend continues.  With a market cap above $211 billion, XRP has even overtaken major corporations like Shell, Siemens, and Blackstone. As of now, XRP price is trading around $3.54, reflecting a jump of 1% seen in the last 24 hours with a market cap hitting $210 billion.  We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Social media isn’t just evolving, it’s setting the pace for how real estate agents market themselves, connect with clients, and stay visible. What used to be a bonus tool for showcasing listings has become a central hub for discovery, decision-making, and relationship-building. And as social media platforms shift, algorithms change, and consumer behavior adapts, so must your marketing strategy.  The question is no longer if you should be active on social media; it’s how you show up in ways that align with where the industry is heading. In this article, we’re breaking down the key social media trends shaping the future of real estate marketing so you can stay ahead of the curve, stand out in your market, and continue to grow your business in a competitive landscape. Trend 1: Short-form video keeps rising—vertical, raw, and real Short-form video has become the dominant language of social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts continue to reward bite-sized, vertical video content with greater reach and higher engagement. For real estate agents, this means that quick, mobile-friendly clips are now one of the most powerful ways to connect with audiences and stay visible in an algorithm-driven world. But what’s performing best isn’t slick or heavily produced, it’s real. Videos that feel personal, spontaneous, and unfiltered are resonating more than polished walk-throughs or templated content. What’s working now: “Talk to camera” insights: quick market updates or “3 things to know before you buy” clips. Community features: local spotlights or neighborhood vibes. Behind-the-scenes: a day in the life, client wins, or open house prep. If you’re not already posting short-form videos, now’s the time to start experimenting. And if you are, keep an eye on how your audience responds because what feels low-effort to you may be the most authentic thing you share all week. Today’s buyers, especially younger ones, are using Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to search for everything from local restaurants to real estate agents. In fact, social media is now a top discovery channel for Gen Z and Millennials, often replacing traditional search engines. That means your content isn’t just for engagement; it’s part of your online discoverability strategy. Your profile, posts, and captions all play a role in helping people find you. Your bio, captions, hashtags, and even the words spoken in your videos are all being indexed to help users discover content that matches their search. What this means for agents: Use clear keywords in your bio (e.g., “Denver real estate agent for first-time buyers”). Caption with intent: Include phrases people might actually search for, like “moving to Austin” or “home buying tips.” Think like your audience: What would a relocating buyer or first-time homeowner type into the search bar? The agents who show up in search are the ones who understand how the platforms work and optimize accordingly. It’s not about chasing trends, it’s about being findable when your next client is looking. Trend 3: Personality beats polish Authenticity wins over perfection in today’s social landscape. Audiences are tuning out overproduced videos and overly scripted content in favor of posts that feel more human, more relatable, and more you. That’s good news for agents who don’t have a full production team behind them—and even better news for building trust. People want to work with someone they connect with, and showing up as your authentic self helps build that connection long before a consultation ever happens. What this looks like in action: Sharing your thoughts in a candid “walk and talk” video. Letting your personality come through in captions (humor, compassion, insight). Posting bloopers, behind-the-scenes clips, or honest takes on the market. Think less “influencer” and more “trusted guide.” The agents who are winning on social right now aren’t necessarily the flashiest; they’re the most relatable. Trend 4: Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the content game (but not replacing you) AI tools are becoming part of everyday marketing workflows, and real estate is no exception. From drafting captions and brainstorming video ideas to generating listing descriptions or content outlines, AI can save agents serious time. But here’s the key: it’s a starting point, not a substitute. The most effective agents are using AI as a creative assistant, not a content autopilot. That means blending AI efficiency with your human voice, expertise, and emotional intelligence. How agents are using AI today: Drafting listing descriptions or Instagram captions, then personalizing the tone. Using AI tools to repurpose long-form content into short, social-friendly snippets. Brainstorming topic ideas or responding to frequently asked client questions. What AI can’t do is build trust, tell your story, or connect authentically with your audience. That part is still all you. Trend 5: Cross-platform repurposing is the new efficiency standard Gone are the days of creating entirely separate content for each platform. The most savvy marketers and time-strapped agents are embracing repurposing as a strategic approach, not a shortcut. One strong piece of content can fuel your presence across multiple channels. A quick Instagram Reel becomes a TikTok. A YouTube Short can be clipped from a longer market update. A carousel post can double as a LinkedIn slideshow. The key is tailoring each version to the tone and expectations of the platform, not copying and pasting. Examples of what works: A client testimonial video edited into multiple formats: short-form for Instagram, longer-form for YouTube, text-based post for LinkedIn. A blog post broken into bite-sized tips for Instagram Stories or Facebook. A listing walk-through turned into a highlight reel, a behind-the-scenes clip, and a “just listed” photo post. This kind of content recycling saves time, increases reach, and reinforces your message without starting from scratch. Organic reach isn’t what it used to be. As platforms prioritize ads and personalized feeds, even your most engaging content may not reach as many people without a little boost. That’s why more agents are setting aside small budgets for paid promotion to amplify visibility, target specific audiences, and stay competitive. You don’t need a big ad budget to see

A Justice Department request to unseal grand jury transcripts in the prosecution of chronic sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend is unlikely to produce much, if anything, to satisfy the public’s appetite for new revelations about the financier’s crimes, former federal prosecutors say. Attorney Sarah Krissoff, an assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan from 2008 to 2021, called the request in the prosecutions of Epstein and imprisoned British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell “a distraction.” “The president is trying to present himself as if he’s doing something here and it really is nothing,” Krissoff told The Associated Press in a weekend interview. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made the request Friday, asking judges to unseal transcripts from grand jury proceedings that resulted in indictments against Epstein and Maxwell, saying “transparency to the American public is of the utmost importance to this Administration.” The request came as the administration sought to contain the firestorm that followed its announcement that it would not be releasing additional files from the Epstein probe despite previously promising that it would. Epstein is dead while Maxwell serves a 20-year prison sentence Epstein killed himself at age 66 in his federal jail cell in August 2019, a month after his arrest on sex trafficking charges, while Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence imposed after her December 2021 sex trafficking conviction for luring girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Krissoff and Joshua Naftalis, a Manhattan federal prosecutor for 11 years before entering private practice in 2023, said grand jury presentations are purposely brief. Naftalis said Southern District prosecutors present just enough to a grand jury to get an indictment but “it’s not going to be everything the FBI and investigators have figured out about Maxwell and Epstein.” “People want the entire file from however long. That’s just not what this is,” he said, estimating that the transcripts, at most, probably amount to a few hundred pages. “It’s not going to be much,” Krissoff said, estimating the length at as little as 60 pages “because the Southern District of New York’s practice is to put as little information as possible into the grand jury.” “They basically spoon feed the indictment to the grand jury. That’s what we’re going to see,” she said. “I just think it’s not going to be that interesting. … I don’t think it’s going to be anything new.” Ex-prosecutors say grand jury transcript unlikely to be long Both ex-prosecutors said that grand jury witnesses in Manhattan are usually federal agents summarizing their witness interviews. That practice might conflict with the public perception of some state and federal grand jury proceedings, where witnesses likely to testify at a trial are brought before grand juries during lengthy proceedings prior to indictments or when grand juries are used as an investigatory tool. In Manhattan, federal prosecutors “are trying to get a particular result so they present the case very narrowly and inform the grand jury what they want them to do,” Krissoff said. Krissoff predicted that judges who presided over the Epstein and Maxwell cases will reject the government’s request. With Maxwell, a petition is before the U.S. Supreme Court so appeals have not been exhausted. With Epstein, the charges are related to the Maxwell case and the anonymity of scores of victims who have not gone public is at stake, although Blanche requested that victim identities be protected. “This is not a 50-, 60-, 80-year-old case,” Krissoff noted. “There’s still someone in custody.” Appeals court’s 1997 ruling might matter She said citing “public intrigue, interest and excitement” about a case was likely not enough to convince a judge to release the transcripts despite a 1997 ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said judges have wide discretion and that public interest alone can justify releasing grand jury information. Krissoff called it “mind-blowingly strange” that Washington Justice Department officials are increasingly directly filing requests and arguments in the Southern District of New York, where the prosecutor’s office has long been labeled the “Sovereign District of New York” for its independence from outside influence. “To have the attorney general and deputy attorney general meddling in an SDNY case is unheard of,” she said. Cheryl Bader, a former federal prosecutor and Fordham Law School criminal law professor, said judges who presided over the Epstein and Maxwell cases may take weeks or months to rule. “Especially here where the case involved witnesses or victims of sexual abuse, many of which are underage, the judge is going to be very cautious about what the judge releases,” she said. Tradition of grand jury secrecy might block release of transcripts Bader said she didn’t see the government’s quest aimed at satisfying the public’s desire to explore conspiracy theories “trumping — pardon the pun — the well-established notions of protecting the secrecy of the grand jury process.” “I’m sure that all the line prosecutors who really sort of appreciate the secrecy and special relationship they have with the grand jury are not happy that DOJ is asking the court to release these transcripts,” she added. Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice, called Trump’s comments and influence in the Epstein matter “unprecedented” and “extraordinarily unusual” because he is a sitting president. He said it was not surprising that some former prosecutors are alarmed that the request to unseal the grand jury materials came two days after the firing of Manhattan Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey, who worked on the Epstein and Maxwell cases. “If federal prosecutors have to worry about the professional consequences of refusing to go along with the political or personal agenda of powerful people, then we are in a very different place than I’ve understood the federal Department of Justice to be in over the last 30 years of my career,” he said. Krissoff said the uncertain environment that has current prosecutors feeling unsettled is shared by government employees she speaks with at other agencies as part of her work in private practice. “The thing I hear most often is this is a strange time. Things aren’t

President Donald Trump threatened to block the Washington Commanders’ bid to build a new stadium in the District of Columbia, escalating his feud with the NFL franchise over its decision to change its name from the Redskins.  “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington.” Trump has previously complained about the football team’s decision to change its name amid concerns the old name was a slur against Native Americans. Earlier Sunday, he had asserted there was a “big clamoring” to switch it back. “Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen,” Trump posted. “Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!”  The Commanders didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump also leveled criticism at the Cleveland Guardians, the Major League Baseball team that changed its name from the Cleveland Indians in 2021. Trump has sought to reverse other name changes done in an effort to be racially or culturally sensitive.  Trump is limited in what he can do about sports teams outside Washington, DC. But the Commanders plan to build a new stadium on land that has been managed by the US National Park Service. The tract’s RFK Stadium was home to the team for roughly three decades until 1996.  Introducing the 2025 Fortune 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in America. Explore this year’s list. Read More

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s future was unclear Monday after his coalition appeared to have disastrously lost its upper house majority in elections that saw strong gains by a right-wing populist party. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has governed almost continuously since 1955, and its partner Komeito had to win 50 seats in Sunday’s vote but they secured only around 41, according to local media projections. Voters angry at inflation turned to other parties, notably the “Japanese first” Sanseito, which made strong gains with its “anti-globalist” drive reminiscent of US President Donald Trump’s agenda. The debacle comes only months after Ishiba’s coalition also lost its majority in the lower house, suffering the LDP’s worst result in 15 years. Ishiba, 68, a self-avowed policy “geek” seen as a safe pair of hands when he won the LDP leadership in September — on his fifth attempt — was tight-lipped late Sunday about his future. “It’s a difficult situation, and we have to take it very humbly and seriously,” Ishiba told broadcaster NHK. Asked about his future, he said only that he “cannot speak lightly of it”. “We can’t do anything until we see the final results, but we want to be very aware of our responsibility,” Ishiba added. If he goes, it was unclear who might step up as the LDP’s 11th premier since 2000 now that the government needs opposition support in both chambers. “Ishiba may be replaced by someone else, but it’s not clear who will be the successor,” Hidehiro Yamamoto, politics and sociology professor at the University of Tsukuba, told AFP. Rice price After years of stagnant or falling prices, consumers in the world’s fourth-largest economy have been squeezed by inflation since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In particular, the price of rice has doubled, squeezing many household budgets despite government handouts. Voter Hisayo Kojima — one of legions of older people in Japan’s falling and ageing population — said outside a voting station on Sunday that her pension “is being cut shorter and shorter”. “We have paid a lot to support the pension system. This is the most pressing issue for me,” the 65-year-old told AFP in Tokyo. Not helping is lingering resentment about an LDP funding scandal, and US tariffs of 25 percent due to bite from August 1 if there is no trade deal with the United States. Japanese imports are already subject to a 10 percent tariff, while the auto industry, which accounts for eight percent of jobs, is reeling from a 25 percent levy. Weak export data last week, which showed plummeting US-bound auto deliveries, stoked fears that Japan could tip into a technical recession. Despite Ishiba securing an early meeting with Trump in February, and sending his trade envoy to Washington seven times, there has been no accord. ‘Japanese first’ The last time the LDP and Komeito failed to win a majority in the upper house was in 2010, having already fallen below the threshold in 2007. That was followed by a rare change of government in 2009, when the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan governed for a rocky three years. Today, the opposition is fragmented, and chances are slim that the parties can form an alternative government. Populist opposition party Sanseito wants “stricter rules and limits” on immigration, opposes “globalism” and “radical” gender policies, and wants a rethink on decarbonisation and vaccines. Last week, it was forced to deny any links to Moscow — which has backed populist parties elsewhere — after a candidate was interviewed by Russian state media. “They put into words what I had been thinking about but couldn’t put into words for many years,” one voter told AFP at a Sanseito rally. Introducing the 2025 Fortune 500, the definitive ranking of the biggest companies in America. Explore this year’s list. Read More