By Linda Sieg
TOKYO (Reuters) - A majority of Japanese firms want long-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to finish his term to September 2021 but fewer than one in five say he should stay beyond then, a Reuters poll showed, as allegations that he broke campaign laws erode public support.
Opposition lawmakers allege Abe favored supporters with invites to an annual state-funded cherry-blossom viewing party and may have broken campaign laws by subsidizing backers’ attendance at a reception the night before. Questions have also arisen over whether a gangster attended the state-funded event and why this year's invitation list was shredded.
The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing.
Abe, who quit after a troubled 2006-07 term and returned to office in December 2012 promising to revive the economy, in November became Japan's longest serving premier, breaking a record set over a century ago.
"A lengthy administration invites concentration of power and corruption may easily emerge, but there is no other politician with the experience and ability," a manager at a textile firm said in a written response explaining why Abe should stay on.
Fifty-nine percent said Abe should complete his term as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader but then step down. Another 16% want him to stay longer.
That would require a rule change by the LDP, whose head is virtually assured the premiership if the party stays in power.
Twenty-five percent, though, said he should quit sooner.
"Domestically, there is a feeling of stagnation and friction with neighboring countries has emerged," wrote a manager at a transport-equipment firm.
Japan's relations with U.S. ally South Korea have chilled due to a feud over their shared wartime legacy, although ties with China have improved.
Media polls have shown the cherry-blossom affair chipping away at voter support, although backing for the fragmented opposition remains weak. A Mainichi newspaper survey published Monday showed a six point drop to 42% from October.
The decline has not ended speculation that Abe might call a snap lower-house election to renew his mandate.
Former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, an outspoken Abe critic, topped the list - barely - of lawmakers respondents want to take over as premier when Abe's term ends, with 17% to Abe's 16%. LDP rising star Shinjiro Koizumi was the choice for 11%.
The corporate survey, conducted from Nov. 20 to Dec. 2 for Reuters by Nikkei Research, canvassed 502 big and midsize non-financial companies. Roughly 240 firms answered questions on politics on condition of anonymity to express opinions freely.