Last month, the political situation in Japan was roiled by three big events: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's surprise visit to North Korea (Sept. 17); the confused leadership election in the Democratic Party of Japan (Sept. 23); and a Cabinet reshuffle (Sept. 30).
The Koizumi visit has been hailed by South Korea, the United States, China and many other nations as a potential catalyst for rapprochement on the Korean Peninsula, the last remaining bastion of Cold War hostility.
At home, Koizumi's approval ratings have soared again, approaching the high of about 80 percent recorded in the early days of his administration. Ratings had remained below 50 percent for half a year following the dismissal of Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka in late January.