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Japan's Hatoyama sweeps to power Japan's Hatoyama sweeps to power
(20 minutes later)
Japan's next leader, Yukio Hatoyama, is beginning a transition to power after winning a landmark general election.Japan's next leader, Yukio Hatoyama, is beginning a transition to power after winning a landmark general election.
Exit polls show his Democratic Party of Japan overwhelmingly defeated the Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed almost unbroken since 1955.Exit polls show his Democratic Party of Japan overwhelmingly defeated the Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed almost unbroken since 1955.
Media forecasts give the DPJ 308 of the 480 seats in the lower house to the LDP's 119, almost an exact reversal of their previous standing.Media forecasts give the DPJ 308 of the 480 seats in the lower house to the LDP's 119, almost an exact reversal of their previous standing.
Markets rose as the scale of the DPJ's victory became clear.Markets rose as the scale of the DPJ's victory became clear.
Japan's Nikkei stock market index jumped 1.5% in early trading.Japan's Nikkei stock market index jumped 1.5% in early trading.
Official results are still to be released, but Prime Minister Taro Aso said that he took responsibility for the defeat and would resign as head of the LDP.Official results are still to be released, but Prime Minister Taro Aso said that he took responsibility for the defeat and would resign as head of the LDP.
ANALYSIS Roland Buerk, BBC News, TokyoANALYSIS Roland Buerk, BBC News, Tokyo
The vote was as much an expression of disgust with the Liberal Democratic Party as an endorsement of the Democratic Party of Japan.The vote was as much an expression of disgust with the Liberal Democratic Party as an endorsement of the Democratic Party of Japan.
But the people have handed Mr Hatoyama a thumping majority and the legislative clout to push change through parliament.But the people have handed Mr Hatoyama a thumping majority and the legislative clout to push change through parliament.
His challenge now is not to disappoint. Challenge ahead for HatoyamaHis challenge now is not to disappoint. Challenge ahead for Hatoyama
Mr Hatoyama, the wealthy heir to an industrial and political dynasty, is due to announce a transition team later in the day.Mr Hatoyama, the wealthy heir to an industrial and political dynasty, is due to announce a transition team later in the day.
He is expected to be confirmed as prime minister when parliament meets in about two weeks.He is expected to be confirmed as prime minister when parliament meets in about two weeks.
His Cabinet is expected to be in place by then, and his party is also in coalition talks with two smaller opposition parties.His Cabinet is expected to be in place by then, and his party is also in coalition talks with two smaller opposition parties.
"It's taken a long time, but we have at last reached the starting line," Mr Hatoyama told a news conference at his home in Tokyo on Monday."It's taken a long time, but we have at last reached the starting line," Mr Hatoyama told a news conference at his home in Tokyo on Monday.
"This is by no means the destination. At long last we are able to move politics, to create a new kind of politics that will fulfil the expectations of the people.""This is by no means the destination. At long last we are able to move politics, to create a new kind of politics that will fulfil the expectations of the people."
'Close partnership''Close partnership'
Correspondents say attention will now to turn to whether he can deliver on his election promises.Correspondents say attention will now to turn to whether he can deliver on his election promises.
EXIT POLL PROJECTIONS National broadcaster NHK: DPJ 298-329 seats; LDP 84-131Private network TV Asahi: DPJ 315 seatsTokyo Broadcasting System: DPJ 321 seatsNippon Television: DPJ 324 Outgoing 480-seat lower house of parliament: LDP 303; DPJ 112 Profile: Yukio Hatoyama Profile: Taro Aso Send us your views In pictures: Japanese election Profile: Yukio Hatoyama Profile: Taro Aso Send us your views In pictures: Japanese election
He must steer the world's second biggest economy back to sustainable growth after a crushing recession, and tackle record unemployment.He must steer the world's second biggest economy back to sustainable growth after a crushing recession, and tackle record unemployment.
Mr Hatoyama has also promised to expand the welfare state, even though Japan is already deeply in debt and the rapidly ageing population is straining social security budgets.Mr Hatoyama has also promised to expand the welfare state, even though Japan is already deeply in debt and the rapidly ageing population is straining social security budgets.
On foreign affairs, the DPJ says it plans to create a new diplomacy less subservient to the US and to improve relations with Japan's Asian neighbours.On foreign affairs, the DPJ says it plans to create a new diplomacy less subservient to the US and to improve relations with Japan's Asian neighbours.
The White House has already said it hopes to forge a strong ties with the incoming government.The White House has already said it hopes to forge a strong ties with the incoming government.
"We are confident that the strong US-Japan alliance and the close partnership between our two countries will continue to flourish under the leadership of the next government," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said."We are confident that the strong US-Japan alliance and the close partnership between our two countries will continue to flourish under the leadership of the next government," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
As the result of the election became clear, LDP leader Mr Aso said there had been "deep dissatisfaction with our party".As the result of the election became clear, LDP leader Mr Aso said there had been "deep dissatisfaction with our party".
Kotaro Tamura, another LDP lawmaker, said: "We made too many mistakes. Very crucial mistakes... we changed prime minister three times without holding an election."Kotaro Tamura, another LDP lawmaker, said: "We made too many mistakes. Very crucial mistakes... we changed prime minister three times without holding an election."
Turnout was reportedly just under 50%, slightly down from 2005. Kyodo News agency put turn-out at 69%, up from 67.5% in 2005.
But officials said that it held up despite a combination of typhoon-triggered rainfall around Tokyo and a government warning that a swine flu epidemic was under way. Officials said people turned out despite a combination of typhoon-triggered rainfall around Tokyo and a government warning that a swine flu epidemic was under way.