The new administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is enjoying a high public-approval rate of around 80 percent. But although he may be able to carry out his economic and domestic agenda, I have some reservations about his ability in the field of diplomacy.

In the first place, he has had little experience in foreign affairs. Moreover, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, in a complete reversal from the previous government headed by President Bill Clinton, has assumed an uncompromising attitude toward China, as exemplified by Bush's pledge to do everything possible to defend Taiwan in case of an attack from the mainland.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry is now headed by Makiko Tanaka, who favors closer ties between Tokyo and Beijing. She has shown herself to be a real shrew by starting a bitter fight with her ministry officials the moment she was sworn in.