Japanese PM heads for landslide

PRIME Minister Junichiro Koizumi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, seeking a mandate for sweeping government reforms, was headed for a landslide victory in elections for Japan's lower house of Parliament, national media predicted after polls closed yesterday.

With official results still hours away, Mr Koizumi said late last night that it appeared the LDP had won a lower house majority in its own right. The leader of the main opposition party conceded defeat.

"I had hoped we would win a majority with our party alone, but we did even better than that," Mr Koizumi said. "I believe it was important to hear the people's voice."