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Article: A Rebel P.M. Can Koizumi deliver on his radical reform vow?(JAPAN)(International)(Junichiro Koizumi)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Newsweek
- Article date:
- May 7, 2001
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Japanese voters clearly liked his style. Pushing for reform earned Junichiro Koizumi a reputation as a political maverick. It was an image enhanced by his long hair (permed four times a year) and his penchant for singing heavy-metal songs in karaoke bars. Koizumi now has to show how much substance he's got to go with his style. Koizumi, 59, trounced three establishment rivals last week and took control of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "There will always be forces against reform," he said after becoming Japan's 56th prime minister. "As of today, my fight against these forces has begun."
The early signs are mainly positive. In his first act as prime ...