The Asahi, a major newspaper, said 56 percent of Japanese are in favor of dissolving parliament and holding general elections “as soon as possible,” according to a telephone poll of 1,069 people it conducted Tuesday and Wednesday.

Only 43 percent supported quick elections in an Asahi poll taken just before Fukuda abruptly said Monday that he would step down after less than a year in office, and poll results show many feel Fukuda was irresponsible in leaving his post so quickly. The poll did not give a margin of error.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has been reluctant to call new elections, effectively picks the prime minister from within its ranks because it holds a majority in the powerful lower house of parliament. The party has announced that it will choose a new leader on Sept. 22, and parliament was expected to install their choice as prime minister after it reconvenes on Sept. 24.

Speculation over which party members would enter the race began immediately after Fukuda made his surprise announcement, and on Thursday several put their name forward.

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