Aso says not thinking of calling poll

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said yesterday he was not thinking of calling an election now because of uncertainties in Japan's economy, the latest sign an expected early poll to break a political deadlock may be delayed.

Aso, who took office last month after his predecessor resigned suddenly, has been widely expected to call an election for the lower house as early as November in the hope of breaking a parliamentary stalemate.

But the 68-year-old leader may be getting cold feet due to lackluster support rates as well as growing concerns over the impact of the US financial crisis on Japan's faltering economy, analysts say.