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Japanese Ruling Coalition Returns to Power Following Parliamentary

Election
Amy Bickers
Tokyo
10 Nov 2003, 03:02 UTC

In Japan's nationwide parliamentary election, the coalition government of

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was returned to power Sunday,
but with a smaller majority than in the last parliament. The main opposition
Democratic Party made substantial gains, which area seen as a big step
toward establishing a true two-party political system.
AP
Japan's ruling coalition has declared a slim majority in Sunday's general
Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi
election, the first such trial for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi since he
puts a red paper rose took office more than two years ago.
on the names of his
party's winners According to the final tally reported by the Japanese media, Mr. Koizumi's
Liberal Democratic Party lost 10 seats and now will have 237 of the 480 seats in the lower house of
parliament. The LDP, together with two smaller coalition partners, will have 275 seats, down from
287.

After the election, Mr. Koizumi said his ruling bloc had built a record of achievement, adding that
he thinks voters support his policies.

The victory means Mr. Koizumi is virtually guaranteed to remain in power. But it is unclear if he
has the public support to push ahead with his ambitious economic reform agenda. Mr. Koizumi's
goals of privatizing some major industries and cutting back on public spending are controversial,
especially with his party's traditional supporter base in rural areas.

The prime minister also acknowledged the main opposition group's strong showing. He said the
Democrats' gains show that some people want change.

The Democratic Party won 177 seats, up from 137 before the election.

Naoto Kan, leader of the party, said the advance will help bring Japan into an era of genuine two-
party politics. He said his responsibility is to lead this leap forward, so that change of government is
possible in the future

Other parties have provided token opposition to the LDP, which has ruled Japan almost
continuously for 50 years, but they have never before posed a real challenge.

Many younger, urban voters cast ballots in favor of the Democrats on Sunday, while older people in
rural areas supported the ruling party.