Japan PM’s coalition may have lost Tokyo election: Kyodo

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso’s ruling coalition may have suffered defeat on Sunday in Tokyo city elections seen as a key test of his popularity ahead of a nationwide vote, Kyodo News reported.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso’s ruling coalition may have suffered defeat on Sunday in Tokyo city elections seen as a key test of his popularity ahead of a nationwide vote, Kyodo News reported.

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The opposition Democratic Party of Japan looks set to become the leading party in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly, Kyodo said, based on its own projections after the polls closed at 8:00 pm (1100 GMT).

Aso’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its sole coalition partner, New Komeito, are aiming to maintain their majority in the assembly.

Experts say a big defeat for Aso’s party could spark calls among LDP lawmakers for his resignation so that a new leader can take the helm ahead of general elections that he must call by September.