The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is likely to become the leading party in Sunday's Tokyo metropolitan assembly election, which is seen as a bellwether for the upcoming general election, according to Kyodo News projections based on exit polls.

If the ruling bloc of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito party fails to achieve its target of retaining a majority, there could be strong moves within the LDP to hold a presidential election to replace Prime Minister Taro Aso as its head prior to the lower house election.

However, if the LDP succeeds in securing a majority, Aso is likely to dissolve the lower house soon for an early August general election.

LDP already lost to DPJ for the fourth straight major local elections -- mayoral polls in Nagoya, Saitama and Chiba and a gubernatorial race in Shizuoka Prefecture.

DPJ is determined to accomplish a change of power after more than 50 years of nearly unbroken rule of LDP.

(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2009)