``I would like to see the result through to the end myself,'' he said in a television interview.

``As I am a politician I will decide my future action by myself. It's my responsibility. Whatever other people say I will make a decision by myself.''

Hashimoto looked tired as he spoke, sitting still holding his hands in his lap, with officials from his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) sitting either side.

``All the results are my responsibility,'' he said.

``I will make a decision by myself. I will make a decision that will be reasonable in my mind.''

He said he asked his party chiefs to call an executive meeting of the LDP tomorrow.

When the 60-year-old premier took power in January 1996 he was regarded as a shrewd politician who steered his party back to power after its first election defeat in 38 years in 1993.

But in the last yearhis popularity has crashed as the world's second largest economy tumbled into its worst post-war recession while unemployment and bankruptcies climbed.

Voters turned out in higher than expected numbers today for Parliamentary elections.

The bigger turnout in the Upper House elections could mean trouble for Hashimoto -- analysts have predicted that more votes might translate into more ballots cast in protest against Hashimoto's party. LDP is in no danger of losing its hold on power because of its strong majority in the Lower House. Hashimoto himself was not up for re-election.

But the elections, for half the Upper House's 252 seats, are an important test of whether voters hold Hashimoto and his party responsible for Japan's economic malaise. If the ruling party does poorly, Hashimoto will be under intense pressure to resign.

Polling closed at 8 pm, two hours later than usual due to concerns over falling voter turnout in recent elections. The results of about 90 per cent of the races are expected by 1am tomorrow.

According to the Home Affairs Ministry, 44.51 per cent of Japan's 99.4 million registered voters had cast ballots by early this evening, assuring a higher turnout than the total 44.52 per cent who voted in the last Upper House election three years ago.

Opposition parties urged voters to send a message that they are unhappy with the way Hashimoto has handled the economy, and stressed that Japan's doldrums have aggravated a financial crisis throughout Asia.

Poor forecast for PM

Exit polls forecast a poor result for Japan's PM Ryutaro Hashimoto in key Upper House elections today, warning his Liberal Democratic Party would retain a maximum of 59 of its base 61 seats. Party leaders have said the Premier will likely resign if his party fares badly. Japan's national broadcaster NHK said the LDP had won between 44 and 59 seats out of the 126 being contested, which make up half the House of Councillors.