Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe?s visit to the Middle East aims to raise his nation?s profile in the vital oil-producing region, but it may also improve his image in a place that counts even more: at home.

Abe, whose domestic support ratings have fallen sharply since he took office in September, faces a crucial test in the coming months with elections for parliament?s upper house scheduled for July.

But there are signs that his week-long trip, which began with meetings in Washington with US President George W. Bush and continues in the Middle East, may give Abe a boost in support that could translate into much-needed votes.

On Sunday, he visited Japanese naval troops deployed to the Indian Ocean to support the US-led forces in Afghanistan, the first such inspection of troops overseas by a Japanese leader.