Campaigning has kicked off for the April 27 Lower House by-election in the Yamaguchi No. 2 constituency. The poll will have a great impact on the Diet struggle between the ruling and opposition forces over such issues as the gasoline and other road-related taxes, medical services and pensions. It will also affect the fate of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's government and that of Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, head of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan.