Japan’s ruling coalition is certain to lose its majority in parliament in Sunday’s general election, according to the national broadcaster, after taking losses amid voter anger over a funding scandal and a cost of living crisis in the world’s fourth-biggest economy.

The outcome may force the Liberal Democratic party (LDP), which has ruled Japan almost without interruption since the mid-1950s, or the main opposition Constitutional Democratic party (CDP) into power-sharing agreements with other parties to form a government. The official result is not expected until Monday morning.

The LDP’s ability to form a government will depend on whether it can continue as the senior partner in a coalition with Komeito, a much smaller party that was also projected to lose seats. The two parties together need 233 seats to retain a majority.

Ishiba had warned that the LDP had work to do to regain public trust after months of controversy over MPs’ undeclared slush funds. “We want to start afresh as a fair, just and sincere party and seek your mandate,” he told supporters on the eve of the vote.

Ishiba, a former defence minister, became the party’s president – and Japan’s new prime minister – last month after his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, announced he was stepping down to take responsibility for the funding scandal.