After endorsing Prime Minister Taro Aso's decision Tuesday to call the general election Aug. 30, Cabinet ministers predicted a tough battle, with some even criticizing Aso and his leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party over the dire prospects.

Transport minister Kazuyoshi Kaneko said the first Lower House election in almost four years couldn't be timed worse, and popular welfare minister Yoichi Masuzoe pointed his finger at top LDP executives.

"There have been several occasions on which we would have won for sure. This is the worst situation in terms of political timing," Kaneko, minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, said at a news conference.