But Mr. Koizumi blew a chance to mend Japan's troubled relations with China and South Korea. I'm afraid Japan's ties with (them) would be dangerously low.
Nobody can speak against him now. He even ignored the court ruling, to deliver a message that he is a ruler who makes his own decisions.
He was facing increasing opposition and was standing on very weak ground. So in that sense it was a godsend.
Koizumi will not change his tune because he doesn't want to face a major political setback, but this is exactly the kind of attitude that will hurt his leadership because more LDP politicians will distance themselves from him.
Koizumi's victory means Japan will now, more than ever, take orders from the United States in its foreign policy -- including keeping troops on in Iraq.
