DPJ wins 308 seats in Japan's 480-seat lower house election_English

TOKYO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won 308 seats in Sunday's 480-seat lower house election, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955, according to broadcaster TV Asahi.

LDP gained 119 seats and its smaller ally New Komeito won 21 seats. Three other parties in the opposition bloc, Social Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party and the People's New Party won seven, nine and three seats respectively.

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won Sunday's general election by landslide victory, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955 to usher in a new era of Japanese politics.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leader Yukio Hatoyama speaks during a news conference after his party won the lower house election in Tokyo August 31, 2009. The DPJ is set to win Sunday's general election by landslide, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955 to usher in a new era of Japanese politics, showed by the exit polls. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
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Before the election, the LDP has 300 seats and its partner New Komeito has 31, compared with 115 held by the DPJ.

By winning the election, Yukio Hatoyama, 62-year-old head of DPJ and a political blueblood, will become Japan's next Prime Minister.

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is set to win Sunday's general election by landslide, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955 to usher in a new era of Japanese politics.

Japanese Prime Minister and ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader Taro Aso reacts at his party's headquaters in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 30, 2009. Taro Aso admitted the failure during the the House of Representatives election on Sunday. (Xinhua/Qian Zheng)
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The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won 308 seats in Sunday's 480-seat lower house election, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955, according to broadcaster TV Asahi.

People cast their votes for the house of representatives election at a polling station in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 30, 2009. Voting officially began Sunday morning for a general election in which Japan may see a change of power for only the second time since 1955. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
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The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won 308 seats in Sunday's 480-seat lower house election, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955, according to broadcaster TV Asahi.

A couple with their kid fill out casting votes for the house of representatives election at a polling station in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 30, 2009.(Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Photo Gallery>>>

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won 308 seats in Sunday's 480-seat lower house election, sweeping the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of almost unbroken power since 1955, according to broadcaster TV Asahi.

A man casts his vote for the house of representatives election at a polling station in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 30, 2009. Voting officially began Sunday morning for a general election in which Japan may see a change of power for only the second time since 1955. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)
Photo Gallery>>>