Although statistics released this week showed Japan's economy is growing, its recovery from a decade-old downturn is still seen as shaky.
Unemployment remains high, and consumer spending low.
Two former prime ministers and a handful of possible future prime ministers all got seats in a new Japanese cabinet unveiled on Tuesday in an effort to boost the incumbent Yoshiro Mori's flagging fortunes. Hoping to repair his tattered image and his chances of prolonging his grip on power, Mori persuaded former prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to take a post in his new cabinet. Hashimoto, the leader of the largest faction within the LDP, will botgh oversee government reform and direct policy on Okinawa, where tens of thousands of U.S. troops are stationed. The economy will likely remain the most important issue that the new Cabinet will face. Although statistics released this week showed Japan's economy is growing, its recovery from a decade-old downturn is still seen as shaky.