The Democratic Party of Japan has widened its lead over the Liberal Democratic Party in party support, continuing its solid advantage three weeks ahead of the election, according to the latest Kyodo News survey.

In the nationwide telephone poll conducted Saturday and Sunday, 34.1 percent of respondents said they will vote for the DPJ in the proportional representation portion of the Aug. 30 Lower House election, compared with 34.4 percent a week ago. Support for the LDP also dropped, falling to 13.3 percent from 16.7 percent.

Of the other respondents, 38 percent said they have not yet decided, up from 37.6 percent.