He has come to look like a sly-as-a-fox Premier who uses his position's powers to the fullest extent, to his own advantage.

While welcoming the firming up of the present government policy to abandon the proposal of the reform bill to the Diet, at the same time some are worried that Prime Minister Koizumi won't clearly state the bill's withdrawal.

Prime Minister Koizumi said, "There are people who say that, because it's unconstitutional, I should not pray at the Yasukuni Shrine".

The prime minister directly confronted the challenges of his political opponents.

Such things as the textbook controversy, lack of recognition of historical events, and the prime minister's worshipping at the Yasukuni Shrine have caused discord with China.

Informed of their safety, the premier breathed a sigh of relief.

He is prime minister in name, but not in reality.

He was forced to resign as prime minister.

He had an interview with the Prime Minister.

His resignation as Prime Minister came as a surprise.

The two premiers had nothing in common.

After taking a drink of water, the Prime Minister said, "Ask away!"

The newspaper reports the prime minister has died of cancer.

The Prime Minister will go on the air tomorrow.

The Prime Minister holds a press conference tomorrow.

The Prime Minister met with the press.

The Prime Minister is to make a statement today.

The Prime Minister appointed them to key Cabinet posts.

The Prime Minister is feeling the heat over his statement.

The Prime Minister was obliged to resign from the Cabinet.