Aso faces ridicule as polls flop

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-12  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

UNPOPULAR Japanese Prime Minister Taro Asoís woes are growing as newspaper cartoons mock him, ruling party law makers publicly hint at bolting and one tabloid even speculates he could quit as soon as next week.

Analysts said the likelihood Aso would resign so soon was slim, but the speculation and outspoken criticism underscores how fast his administration is losing credibility as he struggles to craft policies for Japanís recession-hit economy.

ìWhat it shows is that he clearly has no clout, so people can say whatever they like about him,? said Jun Iio, professor of government at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. ìHeís lost influence, but no one can tell what lies ahead, so these kind of stories emerge.?

Aso, an outspoken nationalist who makes much of his love for manga comics, was tapped by his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in September to woo voters fed up with politics after two leaders quit suddenly in less than a year.

Instead, Aso, 68, has seen his governmentís support ratings tumble to around 20 percent after a series of policy flip-flops and gaffes. The poll results are a blow for the LDP which must call a general election by next September.