Report: Japan election likely in November

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TOKYO, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda may hold elections in early November, Kyodo News reported Thursday, quoting top opposition party lawmakers.

The report, citing lawmakers from the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, said Noda's indication about the election came during his meeting with the leader of their party this month.

The opposition lawmakers told Kyodo Noda may be thinking of Nov. 4 or Nov. 11 for the elections. They said the LDP, however, wants the lower house of parliament dissolved during the current session, which ends Sept. 8.

An early election was promised to the opposition in exchange for its support for passing a bill to double the sales tax to 10 percent. Japan is burdened with huge debt, a slowing economy and rising trade deficits.

Noda's Democratic Party of Japan came to power in 2009 and he has been prime minister for about 11 months.