https://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2005/09/11/mighty-koizumi/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usFri, 12 Jun 2026 15:41:40 -0400<![CDATA[It was rather obvious to me on the streets of Japan last week (and on their television) that Junichiro Koizumi looked like a winner. And he was &#8211; big. So it&#8217;s hard to take any credit for prognostication &#8211; I didn&#8217;t make a prediction anyway. What is surprising, although mildly, is that the most charismatic &#8211; and in many ways progressive &#8211; politician on the world stage today is Japanese. That country always had the reputation for having the dullest, consensus-oriented prime ministers. It&#8217;s yet another example of changing times.]]>Sun, 11 Sep 2005 14:09:05 -0400<![CDATA[Roger L. Simon]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-l-simon/2005/09/11/mighty-koizumi-n209505