Japan's opposition LDP maintains lead over ruling party - pollNovember 18, 2012 - 10:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan's opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) maintained its lead over the ruling party, a public opinion poll showed on Sunday, Nov 18, strengthening its case to reclaim control of the government in a December election after a three-year absence, according to Reuters. Of those surveyed, 26 percent said they would vote for the LDP in a lower house election scheduled for December 16, while 13 percent said they would vote for the ruling Democratic party of Japan (DPJ), according to a Yomiuri newspaper poll taken on November 16-17. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda dissolved the lower house of parliament on Friday. The election is expected to usher in Japan's seventh prime minister in six years but is unlikely to fix a policy stalemate that has plagued a country struggling to cope with an ageing population, a declining manufacturing sector and the emerging power of China. The Yomiuri poll also showed that 43 percent of respondents did not support any particular party, suggesting there are still a lot of votes in contention. In its previous poll, support for the LDP stood at 25 percent, and 10 percent of respondents said they would vote for Noda's Democratic Party. The DPJ swept to power in 2009, pledging to change how Japan was governed after more than half a century of almost unbroken rule by the LDP. Three years and three prime ministers later, critics say the DPJ has largely failed to deliver on pledges to cut bureaucracy. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |