Japan's ruling, opposition parties begin preparations for general election

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso reacts as he walks into his official residence for a cabinet meeting in Tokyo, capital of Japan, July 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso reacts as he walks into his official residence for a cabinet meeting in Tokyo, capital of Japan, July 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso reacts as he walks into his official residence for a cabinet meeting in Tokyo, capital of Japan, July 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

Yukio Hatoyama, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), addresses a press conference in DPJ's headquarters in Tokyo, July 21, 2009. Hatoyama reiterated Tuesday the general election must be a "revolutionary" one to put an end to "bureaucrat-led politics and to make the public proactive." The DPJ has vowed to break the almost consecutive rule of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japanese politics. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

Members of the Japanese House of Representatives stand and cheer following Speaker Yohei Kono's dissolution announcement at a plenary session of the lower house in Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2009.(Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

TOKYO, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on Wednesday launched preparations for campaigning for the general election following Prime Minister Taro Aso's dissolution of the lower house Tuesday.

Both the LDP and the DPJ held meetings to raise morale for the crucial national election that could determine whether the DPJ seizes power away from the long-dominant LDP.

During an LDP meeting held at a Tokyo hotel, LDP President Taro Aso apologized for the recent rows within the LDP.

"We, including myself, have to contest the election in strong unity with feelings as if we have been reborn," Aso was quoted by Kyodo News as saying.

"I would like the people to let the LDP, which is capable of adopting appropriate steps, assume the responsibility in steering the economy," he said.

At a meeting of local chapter officials, DPJ chief Yukio Hatoyama said: "I would like you to make waves to change Japan."

"Time has come for us to destroy bureaucracy-led politics that have lasted since the Meiji Restoration and create a new politics in which people play the central role," he said.

"I would like to take on this major fight with a historic sense of mission," he added.

In a Mainichi Shimbun survey released Monday, 56 percent of respondents said they want the main opposition DPJ to win the next House of Representatives election, compared with 23 percent of the respondents choosing LDP.

A victory for the DPJ in the election would put an end to the LDP's almost total control of Japanese politics since 1955.