Many critics complain that the G-8 leaders' summit, along with a series of expanded meetings, achieved only a vague message on pressing global issues like climate change.

The 16-member Major Economies Meeting group agreed that 'deep cuts' in greenhouse gas emissions were needed to combat global warming. But rich and developing countries failed to agree on a goal of halving emissions by 2050 that Japan has touted for over a year.

Discussion of the even more contentious issue of mid-term targets did not result in specific figures.

'Even though Mr Fukuda has said many times in Parliament that there is a need to set mid-term targets, Japan as summit chair did not announce its own targets,' Mr Katsuya Okada, former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said in a statement this week.

'I have grave doubts as to whether Japan fulfilled its responsibility as chair, since it did not even make its own position clear.'

Blanket media coverage of the event gave the usually dour Fukuda a chance to show his lighter side - he giggled and trotted after a robot guide that set off around a Hokkaido ecology exhibition at an unexpectedly fast pace.

That exposure may support his popularity ratings, which have risen from under 20 per cent to just over 30 per cent in recent weeks, but is unlikely to reverse the fortunes of a leader whose woes are linked to the global issues that set the tone for G-8.

'Prime Minister Fukuda did not show much leadership,' said Ms Michiko Kobayashi, a housewife in her 50s. 'He needed to address and resolve more pressing issues, such as the high price of food and Africa. I know it is difficult, but I was disappointed.'

But she expected Mr Fukuda, who need not call an election until late next year, to avoid going to the polls soon because of his low support rates.

Japan's wholesale price inflation hit a 27-year high last month on soaring oil and raw material costs, while rising prices at the petrol pump and supermarket check-out counters are causing increasing financial pain. Last week marked the longest slide in Tokyo stock prices in half a century.

Those global trends add to the headache of domestic political deadlock that has stymied Mr Fukuda's policies and cast him as a weak leader in the eyes of the public since he came to office last September after the sudden resignation of his predecessor.

Mr Fukuda inherited a divided parliament, and the biggest opposition Democratic Party - which along with its small allies dominates the less powerful Upper House - has consistently blocked or delayed his attempts to pass Bills and appoint officials, including the central bank governor.

Many have speculated that he will be forced to step down after the summit to allow his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to try to rebuild its support before the next election.

Resignation could signal a return to Japan's 'revolving door' series of brief premierships that has been criticised as damaging the country's policy- making process.

But some analysts said any bounce in popularity could mean Mr Fukuda stays on, in which case he may reshuffle his Cabinet before the start of the next parliamentary session, expected late next month.

'He didn't fail. The level of expectations was not very high, so he sort of succeeded,' said Mr Yasunori Sone of Keio University.

REUTERS