Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda has told top opposition politicians he plans to call a general election in early November, Kyodo news agency reported Thursday.

The agency cited senior lawmakers from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as its source, but did not immediately give further details.

Noda was forced to promise the opposition an early general election to gain their support in parliament two weeks ago for a bill to double Japan's sales tax.

The legislation was an attempt to partially plug the country's vast debt hole, and was supported by international bodies, newspapers and most domestic commentators, but surveys showed less than half the electorate approved.

Its passage was a rare tangible achievement in the revolving door world of Japanese leaders that has seen six prime ministers in as many years, but could cost Noda, who has only been in office for 11 months, his job.

Observers say his factionally-divided Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is likely to suffer at the hands of voters disappointed by their lackluster three years in office.

The DPJ came to power at polls in 2009 after five decades of almost unbroken rule by the LDP. (AFP)