Just days after forming his Cabinet, Prime Minister Naoto Kan has already been faced with tough decisions, including whether to extend the Diet session and how to turn around slumping stocks.
But the new prime minister is dashing forward on one initiative: distancing himself from the media.
During his inaugural news conference Tuesday, Kan said answering questions from reporters at times can hamper the government's activities, adding that as prime minister his duties don't necessarily include talking to the press.