Around the World: Japan

Aso support falls to 9.7%

Public support for Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso's cabinet has slumped to 9.7 percent, broadcaster NTV said yesterday, a level likely to boost calls to replace him ahead of an election that must be held by October.

Aso's support has been sliding after a series of policy flip-flops and gaffes as he struggles with a deepening recession, a divided parliament and a fractious ruling party.

The poll results were the latest bad news for the 68-year-old Aso as he prepares for a visit by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from today.

(China Daily 02/16/2009 page7)