Staff writers Reformist Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi seems to know too well that what counts is his image.
And his image-conscious political style may be doing the trick as ordinary citizens, weary after a decade of economic and social doldrums, are starting to see a new -- and entertaining -- political light.
Nearly a month into the job, Koizumi boasts approval ratings that have topped an unprecedented 90 percent in some opinion polls, as well as high viewer ratings of live broadcasts of Diet sessions, which some pundits attribute to his straightforward responses to questions.