ONOMICHI, Hiroshima Pref. -- A small office in front of JR Onomichi Station attracts hundreds of visitors daily as the Sept. 11 House of Representatives election draws near.

It is the campaign office of IT entrepreneur Takafumi Horie, who rocked the business establishment earlier this year with his foiled takeover battle with the Fuji-Sankei media conglomerate. He is running for the Lower House to represent Hiroshima's No. 6 district.

Many of the visitors are in their 20s and 30s. They drop by, look inside, watch a video of Horie on a TV screen and leave messages for him.