Kan's leadership tested by crises
The Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch reported on Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan's quick response to Friday's twin disasters. His performance is recognized as an improvement from the way disaster efforts were managed following the 1995 Kobe earthquake. "Prime Minister Murayama was lost at sea, and the Self-Defense Forces remained in their barracks waiting for a call while Kobe burned," said Jeff Kingston, of Temple University, Japan Campus. "I think [Kan] has taken the measures he's been able to take, using the various powers at his disposal to do as much as possible to have a search-and-relief operation rather quickly and acting with a sense of urgency. He has shown his mettle."
March 15, 2011 | The Wall Street Journal