Mr Koizumi secured a clear-cut victory over his main rival, former prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, in elections for the LDP leadership held in Tokyo on Tuesday. He replaces Yoshiro Mori Mr Koizumi has proved to be a breath of fresh air for Japan.
Politicians there are mostly a cautious and conventional lot.
But Mr Koizumi is unusual. He is divorced and single. He is a colourful character, who advertises his love of pop music and loves to sing karaoke. He is instantly recognisable to voters with his mop of unkempt hair. Economic reform He has also broken the basic rules of Japanese politics.