Official campaigning began in Japan on Thursday for the July 20 House of Councillors election, a crucial test for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his minority government as voters struggle with the rising cost of living. Ishiba has set a goal for the ruling coalition of his Liberal Democratic Party…

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces a tough test in an upper house election later this month as his minority government struggles after its major defeat in last year's snap election. Ishiba has survived so far, though he had to make some concessions to the opposition — an unusual step for the Liberal Democratic…