Voters want coalition rule, poll shows

Japanese voters want the ruling party to form a coalition with its main rival instead of governing on its own, a new poll has shown, as pressure mounts on prime minister Naoto Kan to quit.

Mr Kan's early exit would ease the way for a coalition that could enact a bill enabling Japan to issue more debt to fund this year's $1 trillion (608 billion) budget.

A coalition between the ruling Democratic Party (DPJ) and the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) could also pass a budget to pay for rebuilding parts of the north-east devastated by the 11 March earthquake and tsunami.

In a poll by the Mainichi newspaper, 36 per cent of voters said they wanted a coalition of the two biggest parties once Mr Kan steps down. Only 13 per cent favoured a government led by the ruling DPJ. The same percentage wanted a government led by the opposition LDP.

Mr Kan has seen his already low ratings fall due to his perceived mishandling of the recovery.