But Mr. Koizumi blew a chance to mend Japan's troubled relations with China and South Korea. I'm afraid Japan's ties with (them) would be dangerously low. |
He was facing increasing opposition and was standing on very weak ground. So in that sense it was a godsend. |
In ignoring the upper house and trying to gain power beyond parliament by a direct pitch to the people, Koizumi could be a dictator. |
Koizumi will not change his tune because he doesn't want to face a major political setback, but this is exactly the kind of attitude that will hurt his leadership because more LDP politicians will distance themselves from him. |
Koizumi's victory means Japan will now, more than ever, take orders from the United States in its foreign policy -- including keeping troops on in Iraq. |
Nobody can speak against him now. He even ignored the court ruling, to deliver a message that he is a ruler who makes his own decisions. |