Japan's 44th postwar lower house election kicked off on Sunday morning as media polls showed that the ruling party would continue remain the control of political power.

The general election has drawn great attention at home and abroad as it presented a strong polarization of political power rivalry.

Unprecedentedly, candidates from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan were contending head-on in 280 out of 300 single-seat constituencies.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi dissolved the lower house on Aug. 8 immediately after his postal privatization bills was voted down in the upper house, which is not subject to dissolution.

Opposition from the LDP to Koizumi's plan to reform the postal services was the major reason for the killing of the bills.

Koizumi regards the reform as the core task in his tenure. The premier said he regards the election as a referendum through whichthe Japanese people can judge his administration.

Koizumi also said he would step down if the ruling bloc fails to attain a majority.

Taking the rift of the DPJ as a rare chance, DPJ President Katsuya Okada stated it was time for the DPJ to take power, addingthat he would resign if the party can not secure a majority.

Japanese major media polls have shown the ruling party was running ahead and likely to remain in power.

According to a latest poll result carried by the Asahi Shimbun on Saturday, the support rating for the LDP was 36 percent, much higher than the 16 percent for the DPJ. In the poll, 36 percent ofrespondents said they would vote for the candidates fielded by the LDP in the single-seat constituencies, while 19 percent said they would vote for DPJ candidates. In terms of the proportional representation block, 30 percent pollees favored the ruling party,while 19 percent supported the opposition party.

This is the second general election since Koizumi took office in April 2001. There are 1,131 candidates contending for the 480 seats in the lower house.

In the election policy, the LDP says it aims to have the postalbills passed in the next parliament session. The party also intends to strengthen Japan's ties with the United States and revamp relations with Asian countries. In addition, the party willwork out a draft constitution revision in November when it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding.

The DPJ promises in its manifesto cut of national expenditures and postal funds, reform of pension system, reinforced support to child-rearing, and the withdrawal of troops in Iraq.

The voting will conclude in most polling stations at 8 p.m.(1100 GMT), and the result is expected to come out about midnight.

Source: Xinhua