By Kwan Weng Kin, Japan Correspondent

TOKYO: With a general election less than three months away, the victory by Japan's largest opposition group in a key mayoral election on Sunday has given it yet another boost while deflating the ruling party.

Mr Toshihito Kumagai, 31, an independent candidate backed by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), won the mayoral race in Chiba city, east of Tokyo, to become Japan's youngest mayor. He trounced Mr Kojiro Hayashi, 63, who was supported by Prime Minister Taro Aso's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Mr Kumagai's victory makes it the third straight win for the DPJ in mayoral elections, following recent successes in the cities of Nagoya and Saitama.

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