Support for Japan's Abe rises after missiles -poll

TOKYO, July 10 (Reuters) Support for a likely Japanese prime ministerial candidate seen as taking a hard line on North Korea rose in two media polls published today, following last week's missile tests by Pyongyang.

Just over 48 percent of respondents to a poll by Kyodo news agency said they wanted Shinzo Abe, currently the top government spokesman, to become the next leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and thus prime minister.

Junichiro Koizumi, the current prime minister, steps down in September. Abe's support was up 2.5 percentage points on a similar poll in June, the agency said.

Analysts said Abe's frequent appearances on television following Wednesday's missile launches were likely the reason for his increased popularity, Kyodo reported.

''He has made his political reputation as a guy who is tough on North Korea, or wanted to be tough on North Korea,'' said one diplomatic source. ''The more that security issues come into play in the election, the better it's going to be for him.'' Yasuo Fukuda, generally seen as taking a more conciliatory line with Japan's Asian neighbours, was supported by 22.4 per cent of respondents, down nearly two percentage points on the previous poll, Kyodo said.

Neither candidate has officially declared he will contest the September 20 election.

A similar poll released by national broadcaster NHK showed 37.5 percent of respondents supporting Abe, while 10.5 percent backed Fukuda.

Almost 70 per cent of respondents to the NHK poll said Japan should implement tougher sanctions on Pyongyang following the missile launches.

Tokyo has introduced a package of sanctions including banning a North Korean ferry from entering Japanese ports for six months. The Mangyongbong is the only regular direct link between the two countries.

The Kyodo poll was carried out by telephone on Friday and Saturday, while the NHK poll was carried out between Friday and Sunday.

Reuters KD GC1709