World | Taro Aso Japan's Embattled Leader to Meet Obama Unpopular Japanese PM will face calls to resign when he gets home By Rob Quinn Posted Feb 24, 2009 1:06 AM CST Copied Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso pulls out his brief case before his key policy speech in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa ) Taro Aso today becomes the first foreign leader to visit President Obama but it may be the Japanese leader's last summit, Bloomberg reports. The prime minister's popularity has dived amid public dislike of his handling of the economy and his finance minister's resignation over a drinking scandal. Polls show almost 80% of Japanese want Aso to step down by April. "The US trip is unlikely to revive Aso’s popularity," a Japanese political scientist said. "The meeting may be a superficial one where Obama requests Japanese money and troops no matter what happens to the Japanese government." Before flying to the US, Aso told reporters that his chief aim would be to agree a common approach to the global economic crisis, and that he "humbly" accepted his dismal ratings. Read These Next FBI parts ways with the ADL over Turning Point USA controversy. Judge gives Combs prison. Ex-political candidate mired in sex tape scandal now has legal woes. A megachurch pastor is going to jail for abusing a girl decades ago. Report an error