Tokyo - Historic change is possible in Japan in 2009, as for the first time in more than half a century a single opposition party gained enough support to unseat the ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

According to polls released on Monday, support for LDP Prime Minster Taro Aso dropped to 19 per cent, while 76 per cent reject his government.

Public support for the LDP, which has been in power almost uninterrupted for 50 years, slipped to 29 per cent, while the country's largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan led by Ichiro Ozawa, enjoys 37 per cent support.

At first glance, Aso seems the sole source of the LDP's dilemma. Many Japanese think his policies for dealing with the global financial crisis and the ensuing economic slowdown are insufficient, diffuse and not targeted.

Verbal missteps by Aso, who is known for often thoughtless off-the-cuff remarks, helped pile criticism on the premier, added by embarrassing reports the manga-comic fan was not able to read some Japanese characters.

When Aso was elected LDP chairman in September, many hoped he would quickly call snap elections in a bid to take advantage of his initially high approval ratings to prevent the party's defeat.

However, since he rejected that strategy in view of the economic downturn, Aso faces growing internal opposition, culminating in the defection of a prominent member of parliament.

Analysts expect Aso to hang on until September, the latest possible date for elections to Japan's lower house, but it remains doubtful that the LPD's situation will improve by then. Speculation over a power shift towards the DJP abounds. (dpa)