Last weekend, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was on the campaign trail alongside Liberal Democratic Party candidates fighting Diet by-elections in Tokyo and Ibaraki Prefecture.
In his first appearance before a crowd since October, Koizumi shouted what has now become something of a cliche: His reform initiatives are making steady progress, but he needs more time before they show tangible results.
"I've been prime minister for two years now, and some people think that's too long and I should quit," Koizumi said in front of some 3,500 people in Setagaya Ward. "But the reforms need a little more time."