(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-13 08:09

"It seems to me that President Bush isn't aggressively addressing global warming, but Obama would. And I like how he opposed the Iraq war," he said.

Murakami also hoped a President Obama would sign a peace treaty with North Korea. It is no small issue in Obama, one of the seaside towns where agents from the communist state kidnapped Japanese in the 1970s and 1980s, setting off a long row between the countries.

The election is being closely followed by many in 1,500-year-old Obama, a port nestled by snowy hills that in ancient times supplied food to the emperor when he lived in Kyoto some 75 kilometres (40 miles) to the south.

"When you look in Obama's eyes and hear his voice, he's very impressive," said resident Rieko Tanaka.

"Hillary is a bit old-fashioned and she's the wife of Bill Clinton, so I think a new person should lead the USA," she said.

Tomoyuki Ueda, 40, a company worker dining at a restaurant serving the town's celebrated mackerel, said it would be healthy for the United States to elect its first African-American president.

"I think both Obama and Hillary are qualified, but if Obama becomes president he could correct problems of racial discrimination," he said.

Seiji Fujihara, a head of the local tourism board, said he has only met a black person once, but believed Obama's election would make the United States "more equal" on racial issues.

Fujihara started a club for self-styled Obama supporters in the city and plans "I love Obama" T-shirts.

"We know we can't vote. But if we send out a message, we can help push him to victory," he said.

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