TOKYO: Japanese voters head to the ballot boxes on Sunday, with public polls indicating a possible stinging rebuke for the scandal-hit ruling Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP.

A bad defeat could lead to calls for Mr Shinzo Abe to step down and result in a divided parliament, ushering in a new period of political instability in the world's second-largest economy.

The Japanese Prime Minister has been travelling all over the country, pledging to resolve the pension crisis and implement much needed reforms.

He says, "I cannot be satisfied with the success of previous reforms. I need your support to push forward reforms. We cannot lose the elections."

This Sunday, voters will choose half the lawmakers in the Upper House, in the first nationwide test for Mr Abe since he took office last September.

The Japanese media is predicting a poor performance by the LDP.

Yasuyoshi Doi, a dentist, says, "The LDP has been in power for far too long. It's no longer effective. The government raised the health insurance tax, right?"

To win over voters, popular LDP members are hitting the campaign trail to support various candidates.

Among them are former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and new Defence Minister Yuriko Koike.

Mr Abe, whose popularity has plummeted, had a good start.

He mended strained ties with Japan's Asian neighbours, especially China.

And he has been given credit for his handling of some domestic issues.

Says Professor Kazuhisa Kawakami, Department of Politics, Meijigakuin University, "The reforms pushed through by Mr Koizumi and Mr Abe resulted in economic growth and deregulation. However, while many people became wealthy, the poor suffered. "

The growing income gap is of major concern to many Japanese.

Adding to public unhappiness are the series of scandals that have tainted the ruling party.

Several ministers have misused public funds.

The latest scandal involves new Farm Minister Norihiko Akagi, who has admitted to double-reporting expenses.

With public confidence in the ruling party/coalition badly shaken, support for the largest opposition party - the Democratic Party, headed by political heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa - is on the rise.

Media reports speculate that the Democrats may gain a majority in the Upper House.

But with more than 30 per cent of voters still undecided, the final phase of campaigning could well turn things around.

If the LDP does suffer a major defeat, Mr Abe's top aides insist he will stay in office, even though past leaders have quit after similar setbacks. - CNA/yy