DATE=11/10/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=JAPAN/ELECTION (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-309630

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=TOKYO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A general election in Japan has loosened the ruling party's grip on power. As V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports from Tokyo, the Liberal Democratic Party remains the dominant political force, but the main opposition group scored a major advance.

TEXT: According to the final tally reported by the Japanese media, the Liberal Democratic Party lost 10 seats, and now has 237 of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament. The ruling coalition, made up of the L-D-P and two smaller groups, secured 275 seats, down from 287.

/// KOIZUMI ACT IN JAPANESE, FADE ///

After the election, Mr. Koizumi said he thinks voters will continue to support his policies.

However, it is now unclear if the prime minister has the public mandate needed to move ahead with tough economic reforms.

The opposition Democratic Party won 177 seats, up from 137. Other parties have provided token opposition to the L-D-P, which has ruled Japan almost continuously for 50 years, but they have never presented a real challenge. (SIGNED)

NEB/AB/TW