Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who will complete his first year in office April 26, finds himself in a precarious position as his reform initiative faces mounting resistance from the ruling coalition, particularly his own Liberal Democratic Party.
The prime minister and the LDP take a different approach to policymaking. While Koizumi uses the "top down" method, the party employs the consensual formula whereby government bills are screened by party councils before being sent to the Diet. Now a confrontational mood is growing.
The prime minister has stayed aloof from the scandals involving Lower House members Muneo Suzuki and Koichi Kato. Partly for this reason, Koizumi's popularity has plummeted and his administration's staying power has weakened.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.