With the July 12 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election drawing near, opposition parties are beginning to attack the contentious policies endorsed by the bureaucracy and Gov. Shintaro Ishihara.

Among the hottest issues are the relocation of the Tsukiji fish market, the bid for the 2016 Olympics, and the cost of keeping ailing lender Shinginko Tokyo afloat.

The campaign is drawing close attention because it is expected to set the tone for the general election Prime Minister Aso must call by autumn — a pivotal race that could see the opposition wrest power from the Liberal Democratic Party.