The latest Kyodo News opinion poll found that 39.3 percent of respondents hope to have a government led by the Democratic Party of Japan, compared with 14.8 percent expressing a preference for the Liberal Democratic Party.

The nationwide telephone survey was conducted July 18 and 19 on eligible voters to probe their views on the national election, which is expected to be held Aug. 30.

The results are yet another indication that the DPJ is in a good position to dethrone the LDP, which has governed Japan for more than half a century with almost unbroken rule.

Almost 21 percent of the respondents said they favor a government formed under a new framework through reorganization of political parties while 16.7 percent said they want a government formed by a grand coalition of the LDP and DPJ.

Asked who is most desirable as prime minister, 48.4 percent picked DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama while 21.0 percent named incumbent Taro Aso.