TOKYO - AS Mr Taro Aso works to secure the support needed to be Japan's next leader, he can count one constituency locked up - the self-described geeks of Tokyo's subculture haven of Akihabara.

Mr Aso, 67, the front runner in the ruling party's race to replace unpopular Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, is a passionate reader of comic books, which he would even carry along on trips abroad as foreign minister.

The conservative, often gruff lawmaker has eagerly sought to soften his image in recent years by casting himself as one of Japan's 'otaku' - nerds whose hobbies border on obsession.

'I hope he can improve the image of otaku and have more people understand the subculture,' said Mr Nekomi, a surgeon and psychiatrist who says he enjoys coming here to dress in female costumes when he is off-duty.

Akihabara, long known for major electronics shops, has become the top gathering point for the otaku, with stores selling the latest comic books and animation DVDs. Waitresses dress up as characters from hit video games.

At one store, cakes and rice crackers with cartoon images of Mr Aso and Mr Fukuda were on display next to snacks and T-shirts with animation characters.

'Shortly after Mr Fukuda announced his resignation earlier this month, his character goods were selling well, but now Mr Aso's are doing better,' store manager Norikazu Kurosou said.

'We will keep Aso character goods at our best display location as he's expected to be the focus of attention for the time being,' Mr Kurosou added.

Mr Aso and four other candidates are running to replace Mr Fukuda, with a vote scheduled for September 22. Speculation is rising that the new premier will then call snap general elections in hopes of seizing on initial popularity.

'People feel pretty close to Mr Aso,' said Mr Kyoji Yamaguchi, a 31-year-old stage producer.

'People can feel that Mr Aso shares the common people's mindset, as he said he reads weekly comic books just like Japanese salarymen.'

Mr Aso - who comes from a privileged background - chose Akihabara last year for a rally in his failed bid against Fukuda to be prime minister. Fans flocked with banners with Mr Aso's image, yelling in chorus: 'Taro, Taro!'

'Thanks to the otaku, we can send messages about Japanese subculture to the entire world,' Mr Aso told the audience.

'We should be proud of this.'

Akihabara residents also hope that Mr Aso can help the area recover its blighted image after a bloody stabbing spree three months ago.

Tomohiro Kato, a troubled 25-year-old auto worker who said he wanted to attack the most crowded place possible, swerved a rented truck into one of Akihabara's main streets and then started stabbing, killing seven people.

'I want Mr Aso to help get rid of the negative image so the bustling atmosphere can return to Akihabara,' the costume-clad Mr Nekomi said.

'I want people to know that not all otaku are like Kato.'

Due to security reasons, Akihabara has yet to resume its vehicle-free days for pedestrians, which had become an otaku carnival of sorts filled with street performers in costumes.

While many in Akihabara would welcome an otaku prime minister, they still have the same concerns as many other Japanese who fear that Asia's largest economy is headed for recession.

'My real concern is how to keep my job,' said Ms Akihiko Matsumura, 28, who works odd jobs.

'Job conditions are getting more severe. I hope the next prime minister will consider measures to secure jobs for people like me,' Ms Matsumura said.

'I don't expect much from politics but I hope Mr Aso can do it for us.' -- AFP