Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Tuesday enters the fifth year of his administration.
In April 2001, Koizumi, who was seen by many as an "eccentric" maverick of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was swept into office on a wave of support for his pledge to enact reforms to turn around the ailing economy.
But has the one-time national hero lived up to the public's hopes over the past four years? In some areas he has, observers say. But in most others he has not.