INSTANT VIEW: McCain wins nomination as Clinton revives campaign

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican John McCain clinched his party's nomination for the November presidential election on Tuesday with four big victories over his last major rival, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Hillary Clinton won a critical showdown with Barack Obama in Ohio to keep her Democratic presidential bid alive.

Following are analysts' views:

IZURU KATO, CHIEF ECONOMIST, TOTAN RESEARCH IN TOKYO

"With Clinton's victory in Ohio, the Democratic race looks set to be prolonged. It could help the Democrats if either Clinton or Obama wins out with a tough image in the end.

"Right now, the current is running in favor of the Democrats. But if the two candidates end up spending much of their time slandering each other or using up their money, that would be negative toward the November race.

"Whichever of the two wins against McCain, it would have a limited implication on the Japanese economy, as the Democrats are focusing on China as a threat. Obama sees China's interest rate policy as a problem, so the pressure on the Chinese yuan could lead to a rise in the yen if he becomes president.

"If McCain wins in the end, the Republican government would place more emphasis on its ties with Japan as a friendly nation, particularly in terms of security."

"On the economic front, McCain is vowing to respect the independence of the Fed, so he won't touch on monetary policy.

"But his sales point is not in economic issues but security policy, so I wouldn't expect much change in the Japan-U.S. relations if he wins in the election.

"McCain is unlikely to make Japan the target of criticism while keeping a subtle distance with China. The Republican government won't be pressing harder on Japan or China than the Democrats, although its policy stance could change depending on what the electorate may demand.

SCOTT KEETER, DIRECTOR OF SURVEY RESEARCH AT PEW RESEARCH

CENTER

"Even in Texas where evangelicals were a significant part of the Republican electorate Huckabee didn't get the margin that he needed. White evangelicals were half of the Republican voters in Texas today and according to early exit polls he has a plurality among them but he's not winning a big majority of them. I think most Republicans have accepted that McCain is the Republican nominee and are getting behind him."

FRED DICKSON, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST, D.A. DAVIDSON & CO,

LAKE OSWEGO, OREGON.

Dickson said there had been little market interest in the Republican contest since McCain's main rival Mitt Romney dropped out of the race in early February.