Japan Poised To Return Long-Dominant Conservatives to Power

Voters fret over economic doldrums, tensions with China

Japan's political carousel is about to revolve yet again. By late on Sunday evening, the world's third biggest economy is expected to install its seventh prime minister in six years, with polls predicting a dramatic comeback by the conservative opposition and its hawkish leader, Shinzo Abe.

If the predictions are correct, Japan's political landscape will have a familiar feel to it. Mr. Abe, who was chosen to lead the Liberal Democratic Party [LDP] earlier this year, has already held the top job, for a year from September 2006.