TOKYO - THE leader of Japan's opposition Democratic Party sent a letter of congratulations to US president-elect Barack Obama on Friday, saying change was also coming to Japan.

'Our Democratic Party is also determined to realise a power shift in the upcoming lower house elections by meeting people's expectations,' Ichiro Ozawa said in the letter, according to a party official.

'A wave of change is certainly emerging in Japan, too,' Mr Ozawa said, adding that he hopes to hold talks with Mr Obama in the near future.

'Issues that we are facing are extremely serious, but we want to work hard with new president Mr Obama for the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region as well as the international community.' The Japanese opposition, which controls the upper house of parliament, has vowed to snatch power from Prime Minister Taro Aso's ruling coalition in general elections, which should be held by September next year.

Mr Aso had been expected to call early elections by the end of December but - faced with falling approval ratings - he is concentrating for now on measures to fend off the impact of the global financial crisis.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has been in power for all but 10 months since 1955, but it is under growing pressure from the opposition. Japan has seen four prime ministers in the past two years amid repeated scandals. -- AFP