Tokyo  - Prime Minister Taro Aso is at a crossroads ahead of Japan's August 30 elections: He could either go down in history as a loser who gave in or a winner who helped the world's second-largest economy out of its worst resession in the post-war era.

The fate of his Liberal Democratic Party, which ruled almost without interruption for more than 50 years, rests with the decision of Japan's disillusioned voters who may hand power to the opposition in the upcoming lower house polls.

The 68-year-old political thoroughbred took office in September after two of his predecessors, Shinzo Abe and Yasuo Fukuda, each abandoned the government after less than one year in office.

Aso has had a rocky year in office, with the global economic downturn and mounting discontent over the LDP's reform deadlock driving up the approval numbers of the rival Democratic Party of Japan (DJP).

Despite mounting calls to resign, Aso held on to power and dissolved the cabinet for the elections when his approval rate was at only 18 per cent.

The scion of the Aso Cement Co dynasty was confident, however, when the official campaign kicked off on August 18. A record stimulus package has seemingly dragged Japan out of recession, as the first positive economic growth in five quarters was reported for the quarter through June.

"Our economy-boosting measures are still only half done. We must continue working on them and if they are not enough, we will do more," Aso said while campaigning.

He was a businessman and promised economic improvement would trickle down from big businesses to consumers, who have, however, not yet felt that effect but only frustration toward the government.

Aso, who left the family business to his younger brother, feels better suited to politics than commerce.

After he graduated from Tokyo's elite Gakushuin University, an alma mater of Japan's royal family, Aso studied at Stanford University in the US and the London School of Economics.

Aso has a family tree of politicians through five generations, including cousins, in-laws and immediate blood-relations from both his line and his wife's. He has a son and a daughter with his wife of 25 years, Chikako, the daughter of former prime minister Zenko Suzuki.

Aso has headed several ministries, including foreign affairs, internal affairs and communications.

He shatters the classic image of serious politicians who do not usually admit to liking pop culture by openly admitting his love of Japanese manga comics.

Among several books he has published, the one about his fondness for manga has become a best-seller, shifting more than 130,000 copies in three weeks.

He is also keen on sports. Aso competed in the shooting at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and in other international competitions and plays golf for fun. He also represents Japan's basketball and sportfishing associations.

His casual way with words has occasionally led to him to make controversial remarks.

In the latest incident during the Diet session in May, Aso said he "may well have fulfilled an obligation because I have had two children since getting married at 43." He later retracted the remark, saying it was inappropriate and inconsiderate to those who are unable to have children.

He also came under fire from Japan's elderly when he accused of senior citizens of failing to take care of themselves and overburdening the health care system. He has also accused doctors of lacking humanity.

Aso has confirmed his oft-used moniker of political hawk but said it means "someone who is determined to willingly sacrifice his life to defend real peace and stability for the national interest of Japan." (dpa)