UPPER HOUSE ELECTION 2004 / Poll result spurs LDP to step.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun/Daily Yomiuri)

UPPER HOUSE ELECTION 2004 / Poll result spurs LDP to step up campaign

Yomiuri

As the Liberal Democratic Party faces a drop in the polls, according to the latest Yomiuri Shimbun survey, Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) has warned its members not to get carried away with predicted results as the House of Councillors election is not a foregone conclusion.

The survey showed that Minshuto was expected to gain more seats than the LDP, which intends to tip the scales by asking its coalition partner, New Komeito, for further cooperation. Candidates of the ruling coalition have cooperated in canvassing for support when competing in different sections--the proportional representation section and prefectural constituencies--in elections.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi took to the streets in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, to appeal to voters for their support for the LDP's candidate in the prefecture.

"The buds of my structural reform policies are beginning to open at last. …