Political theatre
One of the first things Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi did after winning another three-year term as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party - and reshuffling his cabinet - was to go for a photo shoot. He spent hours posing on Tuesday for election posters and a campaign video featuring his favourite band, X Japan, as background music.
Mr Koizumi's victory was far from certain in the early stages of the campaign period. Yet he succeeded in presenting himself as a determined reformist, appealing to the public more than his party peers. Once he had established his position, Mr Koizumi wasted no time in appointing a new cabinet, featuring a pretty impressive cast. Avoiding going down the traditional route of experience, he instead chose to side with younger ministers. For example, pro-reform civilian minister Heizo Takanaka, 52, responsible for the economy and financial services, was kept on, despite criticism of the former university professor by party bigwigs.
The surprise debut of Shinzo Abe, a 49-year-old MP in his third term, as secretary-general - a top post normally reserved for a more senior member - excited the public. A grandson of postwar premier Nobusuke Kishi and the son of former foreign minister Shintaro Abe, Mr Abe junior enjoyed growing popularity during his term as vice-secretary-general for his friendly style and dedication. The new minister of land, infrastructure and transport, Nobuteru Ishihara, 46, will be the engine for plans to privatise highways - a contentious issue among many anti-reformists, who have vested interests in road-related businesses.
The facelift reduced the average age of cabinet members to 59.3, into the 50s for the first time since 1994. The LDP has long been viewed as a party for older people, with ministers in their 60s and 70s, but Mr Koizumi, 61, has changed all that. Public support for his new cabinet has already risen by between 10 and 20 per cent, according to surveys this week.
Masaru Kaneko, a professor of economics at Keio University, called Mr Koizumi's new cabinet a 'theatrical administration' for its ability to keep the audience's attention with dramatic developments.
Meanwhile, some new players are due to make an appearance. On Wednesday, two major opposition groups - the Democratic Party and the Liberal Party - formally merged, ahead of the general election, likely to be held in early November. All eyes will be on centre stage.
