TOKYO - UNPOPULAR Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso abandoned on Wednesday a revamp of his top party line-up in the face of opposition from party heavyweights, managing only to name two new cabinet ministers ahead of a tough election.

Perplexing logic SOME in the party found that logic perplexing, since Mr Aso had decided the line-up himself when he took office last September. 'The prime minister picked them himself and it is rude to then say they lack appeal,' the Yomiuri newspaper quoted an upper house senior lawmaker as saying. ... more

Mr Aso, whose ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is in danger of losing the election that must be held by October, was considering announcing plans to dissolve the lower house of parliament for an early August poll, Japanese newspapers said.

Polls have shown the main opposition Democratic Party ahead, boosting chances of an end to more than five decades of almost unbroken rule by the conservative LDP and resolution of a political deadlock that has stymied polices as Japan struggles with recession.

Mr Aso relieved Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano of his economics portfolio, passing it to policy expert and former defence minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. >He also named a new head for the National Public Safety Administration, but analysts said the changes would make little difference in either policy or politics.

'It's too little, too late. It's very unlikely that this is going to save public approval for this administration,' said Naomi Fink, Japan macro strategist at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

Mr Aso denied he had planned a broader revamp but party figures had openly talked about their opposition to more substantial changes to refresh the leadership line-up ahead of the election.

Yoshitaka Murata, the LDP's deputy head of parliamentary affairs, had told reporters he was against a personnel change, and that aides to Aso were leading the prime minister astray.

'I wish they would stop giving him advice. I want them to be quiet,' he said.

Analysts say Mr Aso, whose ratings have sunk below 20 per cent in some polls, had hoped to boost his standing with voters by appointing telegenic lawmakers to key party posts and clear the way for an election before moves to oust him gather steam. -- REUTERS