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.

Half of the chamber's 242 seats were contested. Before the vote, the Liberal Democrats held 115 seats in the upper house and controlled a majority of seats with coalition partner Komeito's 23 seats. The centrist Democrats had 70.

The LDP set its victory bar low. Party leaders said they would consider winning 51 seats (they had 50 up for re-election) a good showing. But early results indicated even that would be a challenge. The Democrats, with 38 seats being contested, were expected to win 48-55 seats.

LDP coalition partner Komeito was expected to hold on to its 10 seats being contested, and perhaps add one or two.

The elections came at a difficult time for Mr Koizumi. Though one of Japan's most popular post-war leaders, his support has been plunging. A survey by the newspaper the Yomiuri showed Mr Koizumi's support has fallen to 35.7% the first time it had dropped below 40% since he took office in April 2001.

Pollsters attribute the decline to anger over a new law that hikes mandatory pension premiums and cuts benefits a major issue in a nation that has the world's longest life expectancy for both men and women.

The safety of Japan's troops in Iraq has also been an issue.