Opposition gains in Japanese poll

JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s ruling coalition narrowly kept control of the upper house of Parliament in nationwide elections yesterday.

But he will face a much stronger challenge from the rival Democratic Party, which made big gains.

National broadcaster NHK reported that the ruling coalition had won at least 43 seats, ensuring a majority in the upper house. The Democrats, however, were expected to make significant gains, possibly winning more seats than Mr Koizumi's Liberal Democratic Party.