Around the World: Japan

1/4 of voters back Aso

Support for Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso slid more than 15 points to around 25 percent in a poll released yesterday that also showed voters unhappy with his decision to delay measures to prop up the sagging economy.

Aso is finding it increasingly difficult to keep his party in line as his support rate falls and the economy slides deeper into recession, intensifying criticism from lawmakers who fear defeat in a general election that must be held by September 2009.