Why don Japanese Prime Ministers have any leadership qualities?
Koizumi: People don’t realize that the Prime Minister has a lot of power. And with strong will it is possible to exercise that power. But the country’s leaders care too much about the opinions of other people. TIME: Do you want to become Prime Minister? Koizumi: I don’t want to raise my hand [to become the country’s leader]. Why did I run for the LDP presidency before? It was so I could openly discuss my opinions. There’s a force [Nonaka’s faction] trying to push me forward for the PM’s post if I renounce my policy on privatizing the postal system. But I don’t want to become a Prime Minister by renouncing my policies. TIME: How do you describe your political style? Koizumi: It is like nobody else’s in Japan. It’s unique, extraordinary. TIME: What’s your vision for Japan’s future? Koizumi: I’d like to see people directly vote for the Prime Minister, like the system practiced in the U.S. It can be done, by changing the Constitution. But there’s strong opposition in the ruling parties.
