August 30 - Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Olympics will not be affected by the defeat of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who had been in power for more than half-a-century, and the resignation of Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Early results broadcast show the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is poised to capture 300 of 480 lower house seats - more than enough to control the national agenda - ousting the Liberal Democrats, who have governed Japan for all but 11 months since 1955.

Tokyo 2016 have made much of Aso's credentials during their campaign, something they believed gave them an advantage of their rivals Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.

Aso competed for Japan in shooting at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

But Dr Ichiro Kono, the chairman and chief executive of Tokyo's bid, said that the change in Government did not weaken the chances of the Japanese capital.

He said: "As we have laid out clearly in our Candidature File, Tokyo 2016 is backed by an enthusiastic cross-party parliamentary group with members from both Japan's newly elected ruling party, the DPJ, as well as the LDP.

"With their firm commitment to bring the 2016 Games to the heart of our dynamic capital city, Tokyo 2016 has been recognised as the most united team bid with every different level of support in all Japan.

"And, this will not change.
 
"Furthermore, the two chambers of our Parliament, both the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, have voted in favour of the Government's guarantees, which are now in place and ready to be disbursed immediately should we receive the honor of being appointed the 2016 Host City.
 
"Together with Tokyo 2016's rock-solid financial guarantees, the support of Japan's political leadership, including the new ruling party, is clear proof that we offer the safest, securest, most risk-free and most dependable bid; this is especially critical considering today's uncertain environment.

"We are confident that the IOC fully understands that our bid has the strong backing of Japan's political leadership.
 
"We look forward to working with Japan's new Government to leverage its strong support of Tokyo 2016, and together to prepare to welcome the world into the heart of Japan's capital city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Aso is set to be replaced as Prime Minister by Yukio Hatoyama, who has already spoken of his support for Tokyo's bid during a visit to London last month.

He said: "I want to see Tokyo get the 2016 Olympics, after London, and we shall make it a games of sports, peace and the environment."

It is not yet known, though, whether Hatoyama will be a member of Tokyo's delegation when they travel to Copenhagen for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote on which city will host the Games.

The IOC is due to announce its decision during its Session in the Danish capital on October 2.