Cartoons, Tabloids Attack Unpopular Japan PM

`He`s lost influence, but no one can tell what lies ahead,` said professor Jun Iio at the Institute for Policy Studies.

Unpopular Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso's woes are growing as newspaper cartoons mock him, ruling party lawmakers 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 Japan's recession-hit economy.

"What 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.

"He's 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 (LDP) 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 government's support ratings tumble to around 20 percent after a series of policy flip-flops and gaffes.

"Bungee jumping?" asked a cartoon in the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun daily on Tuesday, showing a sweating Aso diving head-down as Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, looked on.

In an especially alarming sign for Aso, the Democrats' Ozawa, who has long had image problems of his own, led in media surveys when voters were asked which of the two was most suitable to run the country.

The poll results are a blow for the ruling LDP ahead of a general election that must be held by next September. Some LDP lawmakers have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks in their criticism of Aso and his policies.

Tabloid Yukan Fuji on Thursday cited speculation Aso could quit as early as next week after he finishes hosting a summit with China and South Korea on Saturday, although sources close to the leader were quoted as denying the talk.

"There are rumours but the problem is, what happens after he quits?" said Yasunori Sone, professor at Keio University.

"No one knows, so I think this is unlikely."

Aso is Japan's third prime minister since the last general election in 2005 and analysts say the long-ruling LDP lacks potential leaders with appeal to attract voters at the polls.

Aso, an outspoken son of a wealthy political family, initially had an image of a "cool old dude" in touch with youth culture, but has since been ridiculed on the Internet for not knowing the cost of instant noodles and misreading speeches.

Video clips on YouTube video-sharing website now feature footage of Aso's gaffes, with one from two years when he was foreign minister racking up 174,370 hits.