TOKYO (CNN) -- Amid speculation that Sunday's vote could force Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to resign, political analysts began speculating who might take Hashimoto's place.

Here are a few names that surfaced:

• Yasuhiro Nakasone -- an LDP member and former prime minister widely viewed as a kingmaker.

"I think Hashmoto will go to Nakasone and ask him to either take the mantle himself or pick the next prime minister," said Ryuichiro Hosokawa, a Japanese commentator.

• Seiroku Kajiyama -- an LDP member, Nakasone protege and former chief cabinet secretary.

"He's been the wing of the LDP that's been screaming bloody murder about the way Hashimoto has been handling the economy," said John Neuffer, a political analyst at Mitsui Research Institute.

On the downside, Kajiyama suffers from the image of an old-style LDP operative. His assuming the helm could be interpreted badly by the electorate.

• Keizo Obuchi -- current foreign minister and next in line in terms of LDP leadership rotation.

"There is a remote possibility for Mr. Kajiyama, but Mr. Obuchi is most likely if the prime minister steps down," suggested Takashi Kiuchi, an executive research fellow at LTCB Research.

Analysts said a factor to watch is whether the LDP chooses a coalition partner. Because the party still holds a majority in the more powerful Lower House, the LDP may choose to govern alone.

Reuters contributed to this report.