Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Japan votes in election, opposition tipped to win

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-30 09:50

Japan's main opposition Democratic Party leader Yukio Hatoyama waves to his supporters after his final campaign for Sunday's lower house election in Tokyo August 29, 2009. [Agencies]

TOKYO: Japanese voted in an election on Sunday that looked set to oust the long-ruling conservative party and give the untested opposition the job of nurturing a recovery from the country's worst recession since World War Two.

Related readings: Japan unemployment hit records Why power may shift in Japan Japan General Election 2009 Japan opposition seen headed for win Democrat win could warm China ties

Media surveys suggested the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) could win the lower house election by a landslide in what would be a political earthquake in Japan, although some analysts say those predictions may be excessive.

A DPJ victory would end more than 50 years of almost unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and break a deadlock in parliament, where the opposition and its allies won control of the less powerful upper chamber in 2007 and can delay bills.

"I have been an LDP supporter but this time I voted for the Democratic Party because I want to see how things will change under a Democrat government," said Takeshi Yagi, a 39-year-old hairdresser in Tokyo who voted just after polling booths opened.

Democratic Party leader Yukio Hatoyama, the wealthy 62-year-old grandson of a former prime minister, told voters on Saturday the election would change Japanese history.

"This is an election to choose whether voters can muster the courage to do away with the old politics," he said.

Japanese media will announce the results of exit polls after voting ends at 8 pm (1100 GMT). Later in the evening they will issue further projections based on partial vote counts.

Tropical Storm

It was a sunny morning in Tokyo but the weather could be a factor if tropical storm Krovanh, nearing the capital, brings gales and rain that keep voters at home. A high turnout is generally believed to benefit the opposition.

Japanese Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Taro Aso raises his fist as he shouts slogans at the final campaign for Sunday's lower house election in Tokyo August 29, 2009. [Agencies]

The Democrats have pledged to refocus spending on households with child allowances and aid for farmers while taking control of policy from bureaucrats, often blamed for Japan's failure to tackle problems such as a creaking pension system.

The party wants to forge a diplomatic stance more independent of the United States and build better ties with Asia, often strained by bitter wartime memories.

"I don't think the LDP can change anything," said Ryoji Kawakita, a 63-year-old white-collar worker who voted for the Democratic Party. "I think, even though it will be difficult, the DPJ might be able to achieve change because they have the will."

Financial markets would generally welcome an end to the two-year parliamentary deadlock.

Analysts worry spending plans by the Democrats, a mix of former LDP members, ex-Socialists and younger conservatives founded in 1998, will inflate Japan's massive public debt and push up government bond yields.

The party has vowed not to raise the 5 percent sales tax for four years while it focuses on cutting wasteful spending and tackling problems such as a shrinking and greying population.

Japan is ageing more quickly than any other rich country, inflating social security costs. More than a quarter of Japanese will be 65 or older by 2015.

Return to Growth

A woman casts her vote for the lower house election at a polling station in Tokyo August 30, 2009. [Agencies]

The economy returned to growth in the second quarter, mostly because of short-term stimulus around the world, but the jobless rate rose to a record 5.7 percent in July.

"For voters, the biggest issue by far ... is the economy," the Japan Times newspaper said in a weekend editorial.

Incumbent Prime Minister Taro Aso has said the Democrats would be unable to manage the economy and the business-friendly LDP had better plans for growth. The LDP has favoured steps to promote corporate activity rather than giving cash to consumers.

"There is not one line in the Democratic Party's manifesto about economic growth," Aso said on Saturday.

If victorious, Hatoyama is expected to quickly cement a coalition with two tiny allies whose cooperation is needed to maintain control of the upper house.

A new leader will want to attend a series of international meetings including the UN General Assembly and a G20 summit in Pittsburgh in September.