ABSTRACT
In April 2001, Japan – the second largest economy in the world – experienced a political and economic tsunami that would shake the country out of its torpor for the next five years and five months. It was delivered in the form of Koizumi Junichiro, who was elected to the Presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), subsequently to become Prime Minister of Japan. As most nations and people seek a figure of deliverance in harsh times, Prime Minister Koizumi almost became a religious-like figure who appealed directly to the people of Japan to support his radical reforms. This is unusual in a country where politicians have a more usual disdain for and remote relationship with the electorate, preferring to seek support and solace from fellow party members in their bid to hold on to power, and in a nation that is less than religious in outlook. By appealing to three million LDP members directly, he also addressed the public’s need to see a reformed Japan that would become prosperous once more. Japanese people, and women in particular, resented and protested against the policies of former Prime Minister Hashimoto Ryutaro (1996-8), who had tried to raise the consumption tax. Koizumi was admired in Japan for being plain speaking and honest. This perception was aided by direct interaction through the media and meetings at town halls.
