SHIZUOKA (Kyodo) Electing a governor in Shizuoka is normally regarded as just another local race, but campaigning this time around is feeling a lot more heated with national analysts touting it as a weather vane ahead of the general election.

With Prime Minister Taro Aso's support rate falling, his Liberal Democratic Party has taken to playing down its role in the Shizuoka campaign, while the Democratic Party of Japan is pulling out all the stops in hopes of reaping a windfall when voters head to the polls this Sunday.

Yukiko Sakamoto, backed by the LDP and New Komeito as well as the departing incumbent, Yoshinobu Ishikawa, is emphasizing that she is the only woman among the four candidates, rather than stressing party support.