Aso downplays lower initial approval rates than Fukuda's+

NEW YORK, Sept. 26 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Thursday downplayed the significance of
lower approval ratings at the time of his government's inauguration than the
initial ratings of his predecessor shown in recent Kyodo News and major
newspaper polls.
''One should evaluate me after my work gets in a full swing...I'm not very much
interested in a support rate'' at this moment, Aso, who is in New York for a
U.N. event, told reporters.
The approval rate for Aso's Cabinet, launched Wednesday, stood at 48.6 percent
in a Kyodo News poll, 48 percent in an Asahi Shimbun newspaper poll, 45 percent
in a Mainichi Shimbun newspaper poll, 49.5 percent in a Yomiuri Shimbun
newspaper poll and 53 percent in a Nikkei poll.
The figures were higher than the approval rates logged in the latter part of
the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Aso's predecessor, but fell short
of the approval rates recorded immediately after Fukuda's Cabinet was launched
last September.
In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura proffered that the figures
came out in ''a rather strict way,'' reflecting public views over the
resignations of Aso's two predecessors -- Fukuda and Shinzo Abe -- following
their short terms in office.
''Although the start may be harsh...we should achieve results that reward our
efforts,'' Kawamura told a regular press conference in the morning.
Given the latest polls, Akihiro Ota, leader of the New Komeito party, the
ruling coalition partner of the Liberal Democratic Party, suggested at a press
conference that they will not have a big impact on the timing of a House of
Representatives election, which is expected to come soon.
The disapproval rate for Aso's Cabinet came to 32.9 percent in Kyodo's poll, 36
percent in Asahi's, 26 percent in Mainichi's, 33.4 percent in Yomiuri's and 40
percent in Nikkei's.
The opinion polls by Kyodo and the major dailies indicated that the ruling
Liberal Democratic Party and main opposition Democratic Party of Japan are
expected to fight a close battle if Aso dissolves the House of Representatives
for an election soon, as widely expected.
According to the Kyodo poll, 34.9 percent of respondents said they would vote
for the LDP while 34.8 percent replied they would vote for the DPJ.
The Asahi poll found 36 percent said they would vote for the LDP against 32
percent for the DPJ.
According to the Mainichi poll, 41 percent hope for a victory for the LDP
against 37 percent for the DPJ.
The Yomiuri poll shows 37 percent would vote for the LDP against 30 percent for
the DPJ, while the Nikkei poll showed 36 percent would vote for the LDP against
33 percent for the DPJ.
Fukuda, who had been facing sluggish support ratings, is the second Japanese
prime minister to have abruptly given up the post since opposition parties
secured control of the House of Councillors in July last year. The first was
Abe in September last year.
Aso has been elected as LDP president, who doubles as prime minister,
reflecting hope in the LDP that his strong name recognition will bring victory
in the general election.
==Kyodo