Poll tonic for Japan's ruling LDP

Reports from Japan says the ruling coalition has won five out of seven by-elections that were held on Sunday.

The by-elections are the latest test of the government's popularity, led by the Liberal Democratic party, since Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi took office in April last year.

Correspondents say Mr Koizumi's popularity ratings surged after his summit with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, last month and Pyongyang's admission, that it had kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens more than 20 years ago.