Interior Affairs Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi is that rare politician who doesn't hesitate to say he'll eventually be prime minister. He has apparently become more confident than ever after receiving support and encouragement from two of the most influential figures in the Japanese media.

In mid-January, Haraguchi had dinner with Tsuneo Watanabe, editor in chief of the nation's largest circulation newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, and Seiichiro Ujiie, representative director of the Yomiuri-affiliated Nippon Television Network Corporation. A few days later at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, Haraguchi praised Watanabe and Ujiie as "charismatic journalists" who have fought courageously in defense of freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, the Asahi Shimbun, another newspaper with a nationwide circulation and a Yomiuri rival, is betting on Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada as the next head of government. It is quite possible, therefore, that Haraguchi, with the Yomiuri's backing, and Okada will be pitted against each other for the highest political office.