The current extraordinary Diet session, dubbed an "economy Diet," has its work cut out: debating measures for economic recovery and banking reform. As it turned out, the Lower House's opening debates on Monday and Tuesday did not measure up to that billing. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's answers to questions lacked substance and clarity, as did his policy speech delivered last Friday.

It has been a long time since people began talking of a "hollowing Diet," the implication being that the legislature is not functioning as it should. The lackluster question-and-answer sessions have reinforced that perception. A sense of frustration is growing among the public, which feels that the Diet is not very serious about tackling rice-and-soy-sauce issues even as the economy faces growing downside risks.

Much of the blame for this must fall on the prime minister, who seemed inclined toward ambiguity, which is certainly not his forte. Uncharacteristically, he parried questions, avoiding straight answers. The huge popularity he enjoyed early in his administration was due largely to the extraordinary candor he exhibited in parliamentary exchanges. This time around he spoke as if he were a different man. His passion for reform seemed to have withered.