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Japan PM Aso says to decide on election soon

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-10 22:01

L'AQUILA, Italy: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, speaking after attending a G8 summit in Italy, said on Friday that he would soon make a decision when to call a general election.

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso and France's President Nicolas Sarkozy take their positions for a family photo during the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy July 8, 2009. [Agencies]

Back at home, moves to oust unpopular Aso will intensify if, as many expect, his ruling bloc fares badly in a local election on Sunday that is considered a bellwether for a coming national poll.

Related readings:  Japan's Aso reshuffles Cabinet to boost ratings  Japan gears up for election  Japan PM ratings slide to 14% as election looms  Japan PM rallies party to fight election gloom

Heita Kawakatsu, 60, backed by the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), won Sunday's neck-and-neck contest for a governor's post in central Shizuoka prefecture with 728,706 votes, local election officials said.

Yukiko Sakamoto, also 60, supported by Aso's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner, won 713,654 votes with all ballots counted, officials said.

It was one of two polls that will likely influence Aso's decision on the timing for a general election he must call by September. The other is the Tokyo assembly election on July 12.

"It was extremely regrettable," LDP secretary general Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters. "It was a very close contest. Now, we have to work hard for the general elections."