Japanese media, packed an auditorium for the first public debate, between incumbent Prime Minister Taro Aso and his challenger, Yukio Hatoyama, ahead of a general election in August. Widespread disaffection with the unpopular prime minister could spell the end of his Liberal Democratic Party's half-century monopoly on power.

Also, the head of Japan's long-governing Liberal Democratic Party, appealed to voters to continue backing it, because, he said, it has produced tangible results over the past 55 years. He argued that the opposition, while surging in popularity, has not demonstrated it can follow through on its promises.

Taro Aso said, "They cannot achieve economic recovery, because they have no policy for economic growth. It is irresponsible that they promise measures without securing their financial resources. They have no consistent security policy, and we cannot leave Japan's security to such a party."