Reports from Tokyo say that Japan's second largest city, Osaka, has elected the country's first female governor.

Fusae Ota, a candidate backed by parties of the central government's ruling coalition, is reported to have a comfortable lead over her nearest rival with ninety per cent of the votes counted.

A mayoral contest in the ancient city of Kyoto is also reported to have been won by the cndidate backed by the incumbent coalition.

Correspondents say that a parliamentary boycott by the opposition means the local elections are seen as a test of the popularity of the embattled prime minister, Keizo Obuchi.

They say a good showing by coalition candidates will strengthen his ability to call a general election on his own terms An election must be held in Japan by October.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service