How is the new Japanese government performing?

ON JAPAN

At the time of writing prime minister Noda, Kan's successor as head of the DPJ, has been in office for three months.

Although commentators have grown used to the rapid rotation of ineffectual leaders in Japan, the start of Noda’s premiership is actually rather promising. One key issue Japan has been grappling with this year is whether to join the negotiations for a large free trade area, which includes the US, called the Trans Pacific Partnership. Noda-san took the tough and controversial decision to join talks despite a well organised anti campaign by the agricultural lobby and significant opposition from within his own party. Currently rice in Japan is sold at seven times the world price and so th...