Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama took the opportunity to vote early Wednesday and cast his ballot ahead of Sunday's Lower House election.
Hatoyama, widely expected to become prime minister if the DPJ seizes power, voted for himself as the representative of the Hokkaido No. 9 district, where he officially resides, and in the proportional representation segment of the election, at a special branch office in Ota Ward, Tokyo.
"I just cast a vote that could help make history," Hatoyama told reporters. "I would like many people to savor the moment of change in Japanese politics."