TOKYO: The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is set to become the leading party in yesterday's Tokyo metropolitan assembly election, which is seen as a bellwether for the upcoming general election.

As of 10:30 pm Beijing time, DPJ had won 46 votes compared with 17 for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), according to state broadcaster NHK.

News reports said the ruling coalition, LDP and New Komeito, had a "slim chance to secure half of the seats".