The ruling Democratic Party of Japan has unveiled four different election posters ahead of the nationwide local elections in April.
Of the four, two carry no pictures of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, stirring speculation that the party will allow its candidates to choose the posters without photos of the unpopular leader.
Meanwhile, Sumio Mabuchi, chairman of the DPJ public relations committee, said the posters express the party's determination to advance its political agenda in response to criticism that planned reforms have not progressed since the DPJ came to power in 2009.
The pictures of Kan on two posters show him in a casual outfit and a suit with the slogan "Go Forward," while the posters without his picture say, "Citizens are Resources," and "Fundamental Local Power."
Around 200,000 posters will be displayed nationwide from March 19.