Toranosuke Katayama, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party's caucus in the Upper House, was headed to defeat Sunday. Katayama, 71, was seeking a fourth term representing the Okayama district but faced a major challenge from Yumiko Himei, a 48-year-old rookie fielded by the Democratic Party of Japan.</PARAGRAPH>
<PARAGRAPH>Katayama was first elected to the Diet in 1989 and served in the Cabinet as minister of public management, home affairs, posts and telecommunications from 2000 to 2003.</PARAGRAPH>
<SUBHEAD> Ainu candidate loses</SUBHEAD>
<PARAGRAPH> SAPPORO –
Candidate Kaori Tahara, an indigenous Ainu backed by the small opposition force New Party Daichi, was set to lose her bid for the Upper House, early returns showed Sunday.
Tahara, 34, was up against five candidates battling for two seats in Hokkaido.