TOKYO, JAPAN: Japan's ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito has discussed an earlier schedule for holding the next general election than previously reported, with key ruling party members saying Friday the poll will be announced 14 Oct and held on 26 Oct.

In line with this timetable, the coalition is believed is planning to dissolve the House of Representatives in early October.

The ruling parties' senior members believe they will be able to harness the momentum of the public's focus on the current LDP presidential campaign by holding the general election a short time after the party's 22 Sept presidential election.

According to the sources, the lower house likely will be dissolved on 3 Oct after questions from parties' representatives in response to the new prime minister's policy speech.

However, the new LDP president is to make a final decision on the schedule of the next general election, the sources said.

LDP Secretary General Taro Aso is dominating the party presidential campaign as he is believed to already have secured the support of a majority of the party's lawmakers.

Public opinion polls conducted by the news media also have shown Aso is regarded as the "most appropriate person to become the next prime minister".

Aso is expected to command the support of a majority of LDP prefectural chapters members in the party's presidential race.

These factors make it highly likely Aso will be elected as the next LDP president.

Many ruling camp lawmakers believe an Aso administration will be able to win considerable public support immediately after taking office.

To take full advantage of the anticipated high expectations the public would have for an Aso administration, the ruling coalition's senior members discussed dissolving the lower house immediately after parties' representatives interpellate the new prime minister on his or her policy speech between 1 and 3 Oct.

Discussions initially focused on holding the the next general election either on 26 Oct, 2 Nov or 9 Nov. Among these, 9 Nov had been considered the most likely date, to allow sufficient time to prepare for the campaign.

However, 26 Oct suddenly emerged as the favourite among Aso and key LDP members close to him because they want to move quickly to prevent any downturn in the anticipated high public expectations for an Aso administration.

Other key LDP members have given the nod to the idea and have already begun efforts to obtain support for the new election schedule from New Komeito members.

In connection with the move, the LDP suggested a schedule for the next extraordinary Diet session at a meeting Friday of Diet affairs committee chairmen from the ruling and opposition parties. According to the ruling camp's suggested schedule, the session is to be convened 24 Sept and would elect the new prime minister the same day. On 29 Sept, the new prime minister would deliver the new administration's first policy speech, and the extraordinary session would end 30 Nov. (The Yomiuri Shimbun/ ANN)