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Surveys predict Koizumi's win

Candidates step up campaign, party leaders appeal to voters through TV

TOKYO: Japan's ruling party is likely to win a majority of seats in parliamentary elections next week, propelled by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's popular push for postal reforms, according to media polls released on Sunday.

As candidates stepped up their campaigns on Sunday, party leaders appealed to voters through TV appearances.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Katsuya Okada accused Mr. Koizumi of neglecting more pressing issues, including the nation's ailing pension system and declining birth rate.

``Mr. Koizumi never talks about pension or taxes,'' Mr. Okada said. ``He can't achieve reforms, and Japan will be destroyed. We're the ones who can do the real reforms.''

A poll by the nationwide Asahi newspaper showed the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is likely to secure a majority in the 480-seat Lower House, while its main rival, the Democratic Party of Japan, could lose seats.

Although media polls predicted a victory for the LDP, they said uncertainty remained, with the Asahi reporting nearly 40 per cent of voters still undecided.

The Asahi poll showed the LDP could win about 255 seats, surpassing the 241 seats needed for a majority, while its coalition partner New Komei Party could slip to 28 seats from its current 34 seats.

The Democrats may sink to 163 seats from their 175 seats. A survey by the Nihon Keizai business newspaper showed LDP candidates were gaining ground in urban areas. The survey also found support ratings for Mr. Koizumi were little changed at 47 per cent. Respondents picked Mr. Koizumi as most suitable for Prime Minister, beating Mr. Okada. — AP

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