Japan kicks off election campaign, voters eye change

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Voters in Japan are swarming to rallies as official campaigning has kicked off for the August 30th election. Polls show Prime Minister Taro Aso's Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, heading for defeat. That would be only the second time in its 54-year history.

This is a significant election for Japan.

Polls show Taro Aso's conservative LDP is heading for a loss.

The prime minister is trying hard to woo back voters.

Japanese Prime Minister and the ruling Liberal  Democratic Party leader Taro Aso speaks during  a debate among the leaders of six major political  parties at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, kicking off  campaigns for parliamentary elections to be  held Aug. 30. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Taro Aso, Japanese Prime Minister, said, "The LDP is the one who can protect Japan. The LDP is the one who can defend your standard of living. I will personally give my all, so for Japan, I ask for your support."

Aso is crediting the LDP's economic stimulus packages with helping Japan weather the global financial crisis. And he accuses the opposition Democratic Party of being weak on security policy and irresponsible on finances.

But the Democrats say the LDP has long been ignoring the interests of ordinary voters. They say it's time for a change.