【新闻麻辣烫】
"日本政坛上演'饥饿游戏'：首相石破茂带着自民党在参院选举中'饿着肚子'迎战！美国关税大棒让汽车业哭晕在厕所，大米价格翻倍逼得政府开仓放粮，选民们边排队投票边嘀咕'工资不涨物价飞，这日子没法过了'。更绝的是新兴政党三清会靠着'日本优先'的抖音式口号收割年轻人，活脱脱现实版《政坛101》——这场选举不仅是席位之争，更是泡面价格与推特流量的终极对决！"
---
**Japan heads to polls in key test for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba**
**日本迎来参院选举 石破茂首相面临重大考验**
Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday in a tightly contested election amid public frustration over rising prices and the imminent threat of US tariffs.
日本选民周日迎来激烈角逐的参议院选举，当前民众对物价上涨和美国关税威胁充满不满。
The election comes at a difficult time for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his ruling coalition as US President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Tokyo during tense tariff negotiations.
此次选举正值石破茂首相及其执政联盟的艰难时期——美国总统特朗普在紧张的关税谈判中不断向日本施压。
---
**Economic headwinds**
**经济逆风**
Japan's massive auto industry, which accounts for eight percent of the country's jobs, is reeling from painful levies already in place.
占全国就业8%的汽车产业正遭受现行关税重创。
Weak export data last week stoked fears that the world's fourth-largest economy could tip into a technical recession.
上周疲软的出口数据引发担忧，全球第四大经济体可能陷入技术性衰退。
For voters, tackling rising prices is a also a central concern.
对选民而言，抑制物价上涨同样是核心关切。
The cost of rice, a staple food for Japanese households, has nearly doubled since last year.
日本家庭主食大米的价格自去年以来已近翻倍。
For the past few months, the government has had to tap into its emergency stockpiles to tackle the shortage.
过去数月政府不得不动用应急储备应对短缺。
---
**Political challenges**
**政治挑战**
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito need to secure a combined 50 seats to retain an overall majority in the upper house but the latest polling shows they might fall short.
执政的自民党与公明党需合计获得50席以维持参议院过半数优势，但最新民调显示可能功亏一篑。
Since last year's lower house election, which saw the coalition fall short of a majority, the LDP has not been able to regain the trust of voters who are disgruntled with stagnant wages and relentless inflation.
自去年众议院选举失利后，自民党始终未能重获对工资停滞和通胀不满的选民信任。
Despite Ishiba securing an early meeting with Trump in February, and sending his trade envoy to Washington seven times, no agreement has been reached.
尽管石破茂二月即与特朗普会晤，并七次派遣贸易特使赴美，仍未达成协议。
---
**Rise of populism**
**民粹主义抬头**
Meanwhile, the populist Sanseito party, which has been using social media to attract younger voters, has seen a surge in popularity.
与此同时，利用社交媒体吸引年轻选民的三清会人气飙升。
Polls show its"Japanese First" slogan has struck a chord with some conservatives, although its hardline stance on foreigners has drawn criticism.
民调显示其"日本优先"口号引发部分保守派共鸣，但其对外国人的强硬立场招致批评。
The party wants"stricter rules and limits" on immigration, opposes"globalism" and"radical" gender policies, and wants a re-think on decarbonisation and vaccines.
该党主张移民"严格限制"，反对"全球化"和"激进"性别政策，并要求重新审视脱碳与疫苗政策。
---
**Leadership stakes**
**领导权危机**
If Ishiba's ruling coalition fails to secure 50 seats, it will have lost majority in both chambers of parliament, which could threaten his leadership and lead to political instability.
若执政联盟未获50席，将失去国会两院控制权，危及石破茂领导地位并引发政治动荡。
Ishiba's centre-right party has governed Japan almost continuously since 1955, albeit with frequent changes of leader.
石破茂所在的中右翼政党自1955年以来几乎持续执政，尽管领导人更迭频繁。
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.
自公联盟上次失去参院多数是在2010年，此前2007年也曾跌破门槛。
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.
随后2009年出现罕见政权更迭，现已解散的民主党经历了动荡的三年执政期。
