Japan's TV Asahi published an overview on Tuesday of the 2026 US midterm elections, reporting that the ruling Republican Party may be struggling in battleground states. The report also notes frustration among voters over high prices and Middle East policy, and describes a split within the Democratic Party between its progressive and mainstream wings.
According to TV Asahi, some of former President Donald Trump's supporters may be shifting toward the radical left, a development the report frames as a possible factor in the races. The overview also points to internal tension among Democrats, where the party's progressive and mainstream factions are at odds.
The broader Japanese coverage cited by TV Asahi suggests the midterms are drawing significant attention. Forbes Japan reported that even if Republicans lose, there are few legal countermeasures available to Trump, though he may still attempt them. Sankei News noted that the party holding the White House has historically tended to face a difficult midterm environment, and that past midterms have marked turning points in US politics.
TBS coverage cited in the roundup identified the rising cost of living as the biggest issue in the election and raised questions about the impact on Japan. Another TBS report highlighted a 37-year-old candidate compared to Barack Obama who is challenging a Republican stronghold in Texas, with one expert saying the race could significantly change the landscape for the next presidential election.
What to watch next: whether these battleground-state trends hold as the midterms approach, and how the Democratic Party manages its internal divide.
