WASHINGTON — Ensuring stability and unity, unlike the previous administration, is key to the success of the new government of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, according to a U.S. expert.
"Stability in governance and unity in terms of the execution of policy, both domestic and foreign policy, I think, will be very key to Mr. Kan's success," Sheila Smith, senior fellow for Japan studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said in a recent interview.
Noting Kan is Japan's fifth prime minister in four years, Smith said, "There is a lack of stability in Japanese political thinking, but of course, serious instability in terms of governance."