Mixed views on Japan's outlook

Junichiro Koizumi is riding a wave of popularity that many former Japanese prime ministers could only dream of. The adoration, based on optimism the 59-year-old reformer will revitalise Japan's economy, has even boosted his Liberal Democratic Party's support rate. Foreign investors also seem to be giving Japan's new leadership the benefit of the doubt. Laurence Meyer, however, one of the world's brightest and most influential economists, can't help but worry about Japan's economic outlook. In fact, the Federal Reserve governor seems downright anxious about the nation's prospects and wha...