TOKYO, August 30, SPA -- Japan's ruling conservative party suffered a crushing defeat in elections Sunday as votersoverwhelmingly cast their ballots in favor of aleft-of-center opposition camp that has promised to rebuildthe economy and breathe new life into the country after 54years of virtual one-party rule, media projections said. The opposition Democratic Party of Japan was set to win300 of the 480 seats in the lower house of parliament,ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan forall but 11 months since 1955, according to projections byall major Japanese TV networks. National broadcaster NHK, using projections based on exitpolls of roughly 400,000 voters, said the Democratic Partywas set to win 300 seats and the Liberal Democrats onlyabout 100. Official results were expected early Monday. As voting closed Sunday night, officials said turnout washigh, despite an approaching typhoon, indicating theintense level of public interest the hotly contestedcampaigns have generated, The Associated Press reported. The loss by the Liberal Democrats would open the way forthe Democratic Party of Japan, headed by Yukio Hatoyama, tooust Prime Minister Taro Aso and establish a new Cabinet,possibly within the next few weeks. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/696473