December 23, 2003. Copyright, 2003, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi faces tough year ahead
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, December 23, Graphic News:  When he first came to power, Junichiro Koizumi signalled a makeover for Japanese politics: his charm and distinctive looks were seen as emblems of a modernising zeal. Two years later the leader who many hoped would refresh a stagnant political system has been handed a second term to fulfil his pledges but he is accused of wallowing in a less than savoury past.

In recent weeks the prime minister has stirred furious debate by agreeing to send Japanese troops to Iraq as part of wider moves to reform the countryÕs pacifist constitution. Koizumi, 61, insists this strategy is necessary in a post-September 11 world, but others say there is no pressing need to put Japanese lives on the line let alone revive unpleasant memories of war.

Beneath the cultivated image of an outsider, one guesses, beats the heart of a born political operator. After all, he grew up in a political dynasty: his grandfather was a cabinet minister and his father Junya was head of the defence department. KoizumiÕs own political career began when he broke off studies at the London School of Economics to fight his fatherÕs seat in Yokosuka when Junya died. He eventually won the seat on his second attempt in 1972.

His victory in the April 2001 general election was due in part to his huge personal popularity. A noted bon viveur, the divorced father of two with the grey mane of hair once recorded a CD of himself singing Elvis songs and even crooned a duet with Tom Cruise. But he is no lightweight: he lists Winston Churchill among chief influences and he is fond of quoting Chinese philosopher Confucius.

As a Japanese politician, Koizumi is also rare in appreciating the value of the soundbite. After his victory in 2001, he invoked the spirit of Òkome hyappyoÓ -- 100 sacks of rice -- when he told the story of a 19th century leader in Nagaoka who decided to sell on the gift of 100 sacks of rice to build a school rather than feed his impoverished villagers. His message was clear: the Japanese could not expect improvements in their moribund economy without undergoing some sacrifice.

In November 2003 Koizumi asked voters to give his Liberal Democratic Party a chance to complete reforms that have led to some economic recovery. He won the election with a reduced majority, losing 12 seats to the opposition Democratic party. Critics say his LDP is too tied to vested interests in the construction and agricultural industry to effect real change.

Nor is he seen to have delivered on promises to shake up the various factions that rule the LDP and block political reform. He has been criticised for pandering to conservatives by sacking popular foreign minister Makiko Tanaka after she clashed with party elders in her attempts to root out corruption, and by making annual visits to the Yasukuni shrine of the war dead.

The Japanese showed recently that they are willing to wait a little longer for the Òlionheart effectÓ but, as Elvis once put it, ItÕs Now or Never.
/ENDS