Opposition win would end Japan deadlock

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The opposition Democratic Party of Japan may score a runaway victory in the August 30th general election, seizing power from the Liberal Democratic Party, which has been in charge for most of the past 54 years.

According to recent telephone surveys in Japan, the DPJ could win more than 300 of the 480 seats in parliament's lower house, although the number could change because about 20 percent of the respondents have not yet decided how they will vote.

Prime Minister Taro Aso's Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, is likely to see its strength more than halved ending up with fewer than 150 seats.

The DPJ has pledged to revive the economy by putting more money in the hands of consumers, not raising the 5 percent sales tax for the next four years, and scrapping highway tolls.

But critics say the party is unclear on how it will fund the steps. Many counter that its ambitious spending plans could lead to more government bond issuance and higher long-term interest rates.

Aso has called the DPJ inexperienced, weak on security, and irresponsible on financial issues. Nonetheless, public opinion polls continue to place his LDP well behind the opposition.

Analysts predict that a slew of veteran LDP lawmakers, including former prime ministers, could lose their seats to younger DPJ candidates with a fresher image and attractive promises for change.