The three-nation trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties comes less than a month after Mr Abe's ruling bloc suffered a crushing defeat last month in parliamentary elections, following a series of gaffes and scandals involving key ministers.

The Prime Minister did not have to step down because the coalition has a huge majority in the powerful Lower House, but his decision to cling on to his post has prompted criticism even within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Asked whether a Cabinet reshuffle would be conducted on Aug 27 as has been widely speculated, Mr Abe told reporters: 'I'm basically thinking in that direction.'

Speaking to reporters at Tokyo's Haneda Airport before his departure, he said: 'I would like to think about this thoroughly while taking into consideration various standpoints.'

While he did not give specific details, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that LDP policy chief Shoichi Nakagawa and former foreign minister Nobutaka Machimura were among the lawmakers who might join the new Cabinet.

Members of Mr Machimura's faction within the LDP are pushing for him to become the new Chief Cabinet Secretary, the daily said.

It added that Mr Abe was believed to be considering Mr Nakagawa as a possible candidate for Farm Minister or an economic-related Cabinet post.

The Premier has been planning to reshuffle his Cabinet to try for a fresh start after a string of scandals, mostly over accusations of funding irregularities.

A minister has killed himself and three others have been fired or have quit.

The Japanese leader's first stop is Indonesia, where he and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are expected to sign a free trade agreement today.

Mr Abe will head tomorrow to India, where he is expected to exchange views on environmental issues with the country's new President Pratibha Patil, as well as address Parliament.

He will travel to Malaysia on Thursday before returning to Japan on Saturday.

REUTERS, ASSOCIATED PRESS