Premier’s Party Gains Seats in Tokyo Vote

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi survived the first test of his popularity as his fellow party members rode his coattails to victory in Tokyo’s municipal election.

Koizumi, whose public support ratings stand near 90%, took office in April with promises to rid politics of its old guard and push reforms that would kick-start the sluggish economy.

His Liberal Democratic Party won 53 seats in the 127-seat Tokyo assembly, five more than its previous total and exceeding the party’s target of 50 seats, a party spokeswoman said. All but two of the 55 LDP candidates won seats.