Noda Chance: Japan’s New PM Faces Challenges

The new leader has been described by local experts as calm, stable, and eel-like in appearance.

Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda is set to become the nation’s new prime minister, taking over after the resignation of his predecessor, Naoto Kan, last week. Noda, who beat out four other candidates from the Democratic Party of Japan, is known as an advocate for higher taxes and fiscal responsibility, and has already called for a coalition with the main opposition to break the parliamentary deadlock. Though he admits bearing a striking resemblance to a dojo loach fish, the new leader has few enemies as he struggles to rebuild Japan after a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. Indeed, Noda has also been praised for his “not charisma” – the 54-year-old judo expert is said to be calm and steady as he becomes the sixth prime minister of Japan in five years.