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Japan's PM heading for win in Sunday poll
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-11 08:34

However, Koizumi's decision to strip LDP rebels of party backing and send what media called "assassin" candidates, including women and an Internet CEO, to challenge the "traitors" seems to have convinced many voters that he's serious about change.

Jo Aota, 49, said he had voted for LDP coalition partner Komeito because he wanted to see Koizumi continue.

"I hate the old guard of the LDP," the dance instructor said after casting his vote in eastern Tokyo under sunny skies. "They only protect a small percentage of the people. Japan can't function with politics like that anymore."

In a western suburb of Tokyo where voters were trickling into a polling station, 76-year-old former train driver Fukuichi Nishiyama said privatising Japan Post would be good for Japan.

Japan's main opposition Democratic Party leader Katsuya Okada (L) casts his ballot with his wife Tatsuko (R) at a polling station for Japan's general election in Yokkaichi, central Japan, September 11, 2005. [Reuters]

"I voted for the LDP," he said. "This time around I'm very interested in the election. Those government employees think they are entitled to their salaries as long as they don't do anything wrong. ... If Japan Post is privatised they would be forced to compete."

"KOIZUMI Theater"

Koizumi's populist appeal, the media strategists hired by rival parties and the debates over policies have contrasted sharply with past campaigns, in which TV-shy lawmakers wooed supporters mainly with budget handouts and other favours.

"Koizumi Theater," as Japanese media call it, has grabbed public attention, and voter turnout is expected to exceed the 59.86 percent seen in the last lower house election in 2003.

Japanese voters vote during a general election at a polling station in Tokyo September 11, 2005. [Reuters]

Koizumi has vowed to step down if his coalition fails to win a combined majority, and to resubmit the bills to privatize Japan Post if the ruling bloc holds on to power.

The LDP had 249 seats and its junior partner, the New Komeito, had 34 before the 480-member lower house was dissolved, against the Democrats' 175. But Koizumi refused to put 37 rebels who voted against postal reform on the party ticket.

Koizumi is betting a lower house victory will persuade recalcitrant LDP lawmakers in the upper chamber to back the bill. Several have already said they would do so if the coalition takes a majority.

A hefty win could also prompt calls for Koizumi to stay on after his term as LDP president ends in September 2006.

Analysts have cautioned, though, that predictions of overwhelming victory may be overdone.

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